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Episode 434
September 11, 2023
Motorsports activity in the County in September
Coming to northern Maine soon…The Dustbowl 2023
The first annual Dustbowl from September 14-17, 2023 is only days away. Included in the multitude of activities will be racing at the newly renovated and expanded Spud Speedway. Earlier today my wife and I drove to Spud Speedway so she could see for herself the changes at the track. She was amazed at the changes. I pointed out the snowmobile drag track, pulling track, hundreds of feet of new fencing, guardrail, new steps for track access from grandstands, and many little details that are part of the 1.5-million-dollar project.
Motorsports events include:
Friday September 15, 2022 Antique tractor and ATV Show at Caribou Parks and Recreation Department on Bennett Drive Saturday September 16, 2023 Snowmobile grass drags actually on packed soil surface. Pits open at 8 am with a 10 am start time. Sunday September 17, 2023 Car Show on Spud Speedway track with registration 10-11 am and show start time from 11-2 pm Maine State Pullers Association Truck and Tractor pulls begin at 11 pm on new pulling track On Spud Speedway at 2 pm Burnout Competition Maine Outlaw Midget Series and Enduro Tour Racing on Spud Speedway at 3 pm Finale at Spud Speedway Demolition DerbyFor a detailed schedule of events which includes motorsports and more check out the website. https://cariboudustbowl.com/dustbowl/
Caribou racer sets personal best on drag strip
Jesse Michaud aboard Joe Murphy’s Altered Big Block drag car. Michaud set his personal best in this car. (Stacy Robey photo)
Once in a while you get a chance to race a car, truck, motor scooter, or RC car where you can set a new personal best in a race. That chance came for Caribou’s Jesse Michaud at Winterport Dragway, Winterport, Maine. Winterport Dragway is a low key 1/8-mile track which has been in existence since 1967.
Jesse Michaud and his girlfriend Stacy Robey have made the track their go-to place to drag race for the past several seasons. They have raced snowmobiles, cars and this year dragsters.
Both have experienced success and failure at the track which is probably typical for most motorsports competitors. Recently UpNorth Motorsports reported on Stacy when she set her fastest ET a 5.99 with 111 mph. Earlier she ran 123 mph on a fellow competitor’s snowmobile.
Read about their exploits in Episode 431 section two http://upnorthmotorsports.bdnblogs.com/2023/07/23/home/racing-dreams-can-come-true/
This last Saturday Jesse had planned to work on Stacy’s sled and not drive until Sunday. That plan changed when at 2 pm his friend Joe Murphy convinced Michaud to try out his 132-inch (11 foot) wheelbase Fiat Topolino Altered with a 600 cubic-inch big block Chevy engine.
Michaud posted an ET of 5.13 at 131 mph and a 1.12 second 60-foot time. He described it saying, “The run was like any other. Let off the button and keep it off the walls.”
He estimated that the fastest ET at Winterport is 4.18 seconds and top speed around 160 mph. Not sure who holds those records.
The video shows Michaud at work making a couple mid-course corrections on his record-setting run. https://www.facebook.com/100087639574128/videos/304495332165182
Sting Ray Robb update
The 2023 NTT IndyCar season came to a close today at the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at Weather Tech Raceway Laguna Seca in California. The race was won by Scott Dixon in the Chip Ganassi PNC Bank Honda. Dixon won three of the last four races this season and finished second in points to his team mate Alex Palou.
Pausing after the IndyCar finale, yet not exhausted, Sting Ray Robb celebrates his finest race in 2023. He always has done well at Laguna Seca in previous races, Indy NXT and more. He drove with confidence and avoided the multitude of wrecks, spins, and chaos. (IndyCar Rising John Jensen photo)
After his best finish in the 2023 IndyCar season, a 12th place at NTT IndyCar finale, Sting Ray Robb breaks out his famous smile. The Idaho native survived a race slowed by 8 cautions totaling 35 laps. (Rick Ware Racing photo)
Sting Ray Robb at the wheel during the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at Weather Tech Raceway Laguna Seca. His Biohaven/Goodheart Honda had its best finish of the 2023 season, 12th place. Now begins the search for 2024 sponsors for Sting Ray. Hope to see him in IndyCar in 2024. (Rick Ware Racing photo)
Behind every successful man it is said to be a success-building woman. Sting Ray Robb’s mom Kimmie doing just one of the multitude of things that need to get done at Laguna Seca finale. Someone had to get the pizza. (IndyCar Rising John Jensen photo)
Kody Swanson close second in two series
Kody Swanson with Dan Binks the Binks in Doran Binks Racing. Just before the start of the 500 Sprint Car Tour at Lorain Raceway Park, South Amherst, Ohio. Binks was recently made motorsports headlines with his induction into the Corvette Hall of Fame. In this race Kody finished 4th behind Tyler Roahrig and one point out of the points title with two races remaining. (Dave Barefield photo)
If you are interested in the Binks story this is his induction film. Great man! https://www.facebook.com/dan.binks.71/videos/1410324312886237
At DuQuoin State Fairgrounds with his son Adam, Kody Swanson went on to finish third in the Ted Horn 100. His friend Justin Grant won and Logan Seavey placed 5th which put the points race at a single point with Swanson trailing Seavey with two races remaining. Two close race series make this month exciting! (Kody Swanson Racing photo)
As with Sting Ray Robb in previous segment the secret to success in Kody Swanson’s career is wife/spotter Jordan. Her race notes and spotting skills are second to none. (Janet Delucenay-Webster photo)
Let’s go racing,
Tom Hale
Soli Deo Gloria (Matthew 5:16)
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