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| Footnotes from Speedfest 2006 | by Jane Smith
Speedfest is over, haulers have either gone back home or found a place to winter, and in just a few short days, it starts all over again for asphalt racers with nine nights of racing action. For the race fan it is a great time, for the drivers and crews and those who work behind the scenes, it is a very sleepless time.
Ryan Tedesco of New Philadelphia, Ohio can testify to that firsthand. When Ryan was wrecked in Friday night's action at Speedfest, he and the team stayed up all night to fix their damaged car, seventeen hours of hard and I do mean hard work.
But come race time Saturday, there was Ryan. The car may not have been as pretty as the night before but it was there.
Ryan Foster of Lowell, Arkansas moves on to ARCA racing this year and will be sadly missed in the Sunbelt Super Late Model series. Ryan was one of the few who had a back-up car which was good for Ryan since both cars decided to break each night. Florida fans have watched Ryan as he has developed into a fine race driver and he will be missed this year.
Ryan Crane of Panama City, Florida will not be joining in the fun this year at the World Series. Ryan will soon graduate from college and he has put his priorities there for now. Asked "what do you plan to do after your graduate?", Ryan replied "go racing of course."
David Pollen Jr., who raced the Friday night race, will be running ASA Late Models in 2006. David, who seems to have grown six inches since race season ended, has shown his driving talents in both trucks and Super Lates. If you have had the pleasure to meet this young man, you know what an easy going kid he is and a pleasure to have at a racetrack.
Scott Bishop of South Carolina is another outstanding young driver. Scott won the 75 lap Championship Pro Truck race at New Smyrna Speedway last November and has had alot of experience on dirt tracks. Scott's luck was not so good Friday night but he came back on Saturday to finish fifth in the Pro Truck race. Scott plans to run the three nights of Pro Truck action at New Smyrna for the World Series and hopes to run the full Pro Truck schedule in 2006.
Jerry Artuso of Sault St. Marie, Ont., known well in the area for his No. 5 Pro Modified and Goodyear Challenge Late Model cars, has switched to Super Lates for 2006. Jerry had little time to get use to his new ride since he just picked it up days before Speedfest. But it seemed to fit Jerry just fine and he will also run it in the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway.
Jay Middleton of Lake City, Florida, who has been the Florida Pro Champion and Rookie of the Year for the Sunbelt Super Late Model Series, will also join in the ARCA forces for 2006. Jay also plans to run a few Sunbelt races when he can. Jay will be picking up his brand new Super Late this week so will not be a force for the World Series but hopes to have the car ready for the last night's action when the Pete Orr Memorial 100 will be run.
Louie Mechalides of Tyngsboro, MA did not have the best results at Speedfest but Louie will be ready for the World Series. After trying for many years, Louie was the Super Late Model Champion of the 2005 World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing. Louie's No. 47 has become very familiar to Florida fans and it is always a pleasure to see him back each year.
Landon Cassill of Fairfax, IA lost his primary car on Friday night and had to go to his back-up car. The back-up car was not quite as good as the primary car so Landon did not have the weekend he had hoped for. But fans can see Landon in action again since he also is running the World Series of Asphalt Stock Car Racing.
Drivers and crews who head on to New Smyrna have just a few days to regain strength and get some needed rest before it is time for 9 nights of racing action. Some will make it, others won't. But what a time we all have doing it!!
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