I’m the kinda guy that firmly believes in the old “hurt and learn” – you stick your finger near the flame, it hurts – if you have half a brain, more than likely you’re not going to make the same mistake twice. I’m not a mean father or anything, but I’d rather have my kids learn by experiencing failures, so they can improve their decision making by calling upon their own lessons learned – actions and judgment calls are made based upon what they know, what they have learned.

Mind you – I’m still learning…

After the disappointment of being notified he didn’t score his first Tour win on the Tours biggest stage at NHIS, James Civali has shown that he and his Don King owned, Ramar - Hall sponsored team are not going away. This is no “rookie”, flash in the pan performance. This team is getting it done and running up front, consistently. If I had only been taking him in my Pick 6… Duohhhh!!!

At Stafford Motor Speedway on August 11th, James Civali managed to hold off - for 30 plus laps, the hardest charger in a modified - period. How he did it took more than his limited “rookie” experience, it took killer instinct and it took guts. Not just due to the fact that Reggie Ruggeiro was on his bumper – but if James Civali had been just a hair more aggressive, his actions might have been viewed differently. Had the popular red # 41found it’s way in the wall, fans would have called for Civali’s head, purely as a knee jerk reaction. Last years pains for aggressive actions on the track would have come back in a split second. I have to say – I haven’t seen someone hold off a strong challenger like that in sometime. It certainly was exciting to witness and it was great to see fans on their feet. Got me off my rear – and that’s saying something…

Reggie tore through the field and attempted to pass Civali several times. Every time I thought he made it by, the #28 muscled his way back in front. I would later hear that Reggie said Civali didn’t give him much room – I think he gave him just barely enough – just about what he is supposed to do. I believe he gave Reggie a lane, but it sure was uncomfortable. There was no blatant blocking or chopping – just a toe to toe, fist fight. If I’m Don King, I’m thrilled with James Civali’s effort, determination and overall performance.

I wonder if on that evening we saw a torch being handed off – from one generation to the next. Reggie is a modified legend, still showing us how to get around the fast way. James Civali is a young determined driver, with lots of skills and potential. The kids got it – (so does the old fella) – James has done a great job this year showing everyone his ability to harness the talent.

After last year, James Civali’s future in racing around these parts was in serious peril. He took the high road and took a step back. In doing so he could have lost a completive edge, favoring the side of caution in his return to racing. He has managed to balance both a cautious approach and a controlled aggressiveness that has rewarded his team. At Thompson on August 17th, I think we saw a rookie mistake, getting into the back of the Eric Beers machine. In his interview over the PA he was quick not to shy away from accountability, stating “either he lifted or I drove in too deep”. Point being, he didn’t rule out wrong doing and while it was a very unfortunate, scary incident for Eric Beers – it was not intentional.

At Stafford that evening we saw a fantastic shootout for the last 30 laps – I can’t say much for the first 120 laps, but it was a great night to be at the racetrack – I love seeing someone win for the first time. I’m sure Jack Sr., sitting in his golf cart high above, loved that battle – and either way, he would have been happy with the outcome.

In an effort to get more detailed information from the races I attend, at the last two races I brought and experimented with a tape recorder, you know - to capture the rundown and my keen observations. I think it’s always rather odd to listen to your own voice but as I listened to my recordings - I came off like a bad Johnny Most.. At Stafford – “Restart.. Oh No, the 48, hard right into everybody!!!!”…. “… Thompson – “The 2 and the 48 for position”… “The Red car under the Blue car in turn one… Oh!!!.. Blue car in the wall”.. Like I don’t’ know their names - I guess I’m not very good at a play by play, I tend to get a little excited.

Can you blame me?

Cold Case…

Speaking of the incident exiting turn two at Thompson, it seemed very unfortunate that one of the stoutest cars, the one contender, wound up kissing the concrete, whilst battling for the lead against - a one:

………TED CHRISTOPHER
………CAUCASIAN
………5’11
………165 lbs.

Enter the “Dragnet” theme…

Dum, dum dum dum…. Dum, dum dum dum – Dummmmmmmm…

"Ladies and Gentlemen, the story you are about to read is true - to me anyway. Only some names have been changed to protect the innocent."

Joe Thursday: "This is the track. Thompson, Connecticut. I like it here...I carry a pit pass, I'm a fan."…

"It was Thursday, August 17th. It was hot in Thompson. I was working the Bud 150..."

…… It was around lap 141 the trouble started – I know I’ve seen this MO before…. I recall a caper, back in 03’ – spring race I think.. yes, I remember it now – it was The Spring Sizzler. Ten laps to go, this Christopher fella and Flemke Jr. battling for the win. An inside pass in turns one and two – the cars even exiting the turn - and low and behold – you guessed it –

Bill Cannon: “What?”
Joe Thursday: “The car on the outside got nice and cozy with the backstretch concrete – stupid…”

Bill Cannon: “Humm...”
Joe Thursday: “Humm is right”…

…After Christopher’s Sizzler win in ’03, he say’s something like – “It's ten to go, so you know, everybody's working pretty hard at it. Tires are getting worn out, you're slipping and sliding."

Bill Cannon: “Hummm…”

… And after his Thompson win last Thursday, he say’s - “I don’t like winning that way, but I’ve lost some like that and won some like that.”

Bill Cannon: “Hummm…”
Joe Thrusday: “Is that all you can say – Hummm?”…

Different car, same guy – same result – the challenger meets the wall, and this Christopher guy rolls onto victory lane, unchallenged.

Bill Cannon: “So whatda ya think Joe?”
Joe Thursday: “Hummm?..... I say… Let’s pick him up..”

Exit with the theme song..

Dum, dum dum dum…. Dum, dum dum dum – Dummmmmmmm…

Okay - End the Dragnet skit…

So – enough of that, nobody is picking Teddy up for some questionable actions on the track but, I can’t remember when Ted came out on the short end – it’s been a while that’s for sure.

I’m sure Ted can take the heat, take a little ribbing – he seems to thrive on the fan reaction - and controversy seems to swirl around Ted like a tornado (there’s a nickname in the somewhere) – but never far away from Ted is victory lane. He has gotten there many different ways. Several have been great performances by driver and team. However, my least favorite, are the wins that accumulate because he has a fast car and a determined mindset that takes the # 1 position at all costs and with no remorse. The “I did what I had to do” Cup mentality always sits foul in my stomach because I know sometimes the fastest car doesn’t always win – or shouldn’t win...

Sound stupid? – yea, maybe – hopefully the TC fans out there have learned from their hero, and don’t let little remarks or criticism of their driver bother them - but hey – as long as it sells more tickets, right? Last year I was giving the guy some praise – so I’m no Ted hater, just an observer with an opinion.

For John Blewett III, it’s been a tough couple of weeks huh? While not running a full schedule he sure has been a force when he is racing. The last two races he has been up front where the action is and has come out with a torn up racecar. In much the same way the elder Blewett Jr. showed up - and contended, firmly – John III is doing much the same and is breaking free of his “underrated” status and should really be getting everyone’s attention – he has mine – and now I’m sure many eyes will be on the # 66 machine to watch for retaliation vs. pure racing performance, which is a shame. Let’s hope cooler heads prevail and at a minimum, the tables turn a bit. Bringing home a car in one piece would be a great place to start. Out of the Blewett racing family, it’s John III that has gained my respect as a fan...

Like the mighty Meatloaf once sang – “One out of three ain’t bad”.. or was that two…?

Hummmm…

I spoke with David Hill after Thompson – we shared a few thoughts on a tough night for the # 79 team. It’s been an inconsistent, disappointing season thus far. It’s certainly not due to a lack of effort. I’m sure I’m not the only one who would like to see the Hossfeld/Hill team on the podium. David and I talked of their multiple cars and I said (half jokingly) perhaps they should stick with the old one – which ran recently at Riverhead to a second place finish – which made me think...

While it’s nice to have more than one car or in the Hill’s case – multiple cars, I’d be curious to see how they would do with one car the rest of the season. By contrast – we see Tony Hirschman, who is so consistent and always time trails well – he never seems to struggle with a set up – using one car.

Mind you – one car or ten cars – you always need some luck on your side. Anyone got a rabbits foot?

Earlier in the evening I spoke with Ed Flemke Jr. and I asked him about his teams second car, which was used for the shorter tracks last season – he said, “It’s in the shop, sitting there”…

Eddie and I talked about having your hands on one car throughout the season, getting a feel for it – knowing it top to bottom and the benefits of running just one car. While it’s nice to have a back up, having another car takes time to prepare, time away from your primary car and so on. Now in no way am I saying it can’t be done – it certainly can – I guess I just want to see some good things come the #79 team’s way. This one car thing seems to be working well for others.

Come Sept 9th and 10th at Thompson, the Hillbilly’s will run 2 of their cars the same day – one in the WMT and one in the ROC show – I’ll be pulling for them to do well, in part because I love the idea of one driver running both races – but more so because the Hills are friends and I’d like to see them do well.

My allegiance to the traditional Thompson 300 I wear on my sleeve like a badge. But as this Modified Mania weekend approaches - as a modified fan not having seen the ROC and TVMS run – I’ll admit I’m getting a little pumped. As a Thompson 300 purist – I’m pissed.

As we head into the homestretch of our 2006 season, the point battle is really shaping up. Mr. Mike Stefanik sits in the driver’s seat with Tornado Ted in hot pursuit and championship heavyweight, Tony Hirschman sits within striking distance. Will the top 3 falter? Will Flemke win one or two for Teto Racing and position himself as a serious threat? Can Civali win another one in his rookie season and silence the critics?...

Will the Dragnet duo of Joe Thursday and Bill Cannon gather “just the facts” and solve the “Cold Case”? Will “the Fuzz” lay down the law? Can the Red Sox dig themselves out of this treacherous hole? Can Bullwinkle really pull a rabbit out of his hat?

Well, keep tuning in for answers to these burning questions and see how our hero’s fare...

… and remember - crime doesn’t pay…

…or it shouldn’t anyway..