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| LIVE UPDATES from the 2008 "BELLEVILLE MIDGET NATIONALS" |
| Thursday, July 31 UPDATES |
NOTE: I will be posting photos, news, notes, observations, interviews, and general
comments in these sections throughout the week (usually during the afternoons), but will
only post results after the conclusion of each night's event (not a blow-by-blow account of
what's happening on the track each night). Photos from each day will be posted in the
afternoon (from that day and possibly from the previous night's pitside action, so check
back).
What an amazing place! For a tiny little town in the middle of nowhere, Belleville, Kansas
has the best atmosphere of any racetrack in America. You won't find anyone - from fans
to drivers to teams to sponsors and media - who will disagree with that statement. This
town, which is filled with retirees and where you can still find a house for sale for around
$10,000, explodes during Nationals week. Not only are the best Midget racers in town,
but they also schedule the Nationals the week of the North Central Kansas Free Fair,
which only adds to the fun and atmosphere. Thousands of racers descend on this city
located about an hour south of the Nebraska line during this week and take over!
There's only a couple of hotels in the area, so Belleville residents annually open up their
doors and houses to the race teams, and allow them to camp out for the week - usually
resulting in yearly repeat visits and lifelong friendships. If racers are not housed in town,
most tend to camp (like me) at or near the city park. It's the best deal in racing - you are
on the track grounds (about a 5 minute walk to the track and fair), there's a great pool
that gets a lot of use, bathrooms and showers are within 100 feet, horseshoe pits are
available, and friends and soon-to-be friends abound everywhere you look! No one is a
stranger here, and people you only see once a year treat you as family each time we
visit. As with most racers, everyone is extremely friendly and helpful, and campers (and
their stuff) couldn't be more safe here. It really has an old-fashioned feel to it, which I
believe is what everyone craves when they come here. No one is ever in a bad mood,
and you end up being able to totally get away from life's stresses and problems when you
arrive in Belleville. In fact, for years, once I arrive here, I've banned hearing general
world news from my life, preferring to live in the bliss that is Belleville for the week - totally
unaware of what is going on outside of this little slice of heaven. Perfect.
Most of the teams competing in the Belleville Midget Nationals have been in the area
since at least Monday, in preparation for the two POWRi midget shows at Junction Motor
Speedway (McCool Junction) on Tuesday and Wednesday, arriving to park their rigs on
Belleville ground late last night. Today is an off day for the Midget racers, but that
doesn't mean that it's a slow day here in Belleville. The entire town is buzzing about
tonight's All Star winged sprint race, with many big names expected to show up to run the
world's fastest half-mile dirt track tonight (including WoO star Danny Lasoski). The All
Stars will pit on the outside of the track (midgets pit on the inside of the oval) to allow fans
to get up close to the winged warriors. I took a walk to their pit area earlier this afternoon
and only saw Randy Hannagan's rig there - more should be on the way soon. Many are
predicting a sold-out show for tonight! Having an All Star show tonight on the Midget
racer's off night gives everyone a chance to get into town, set up their site for the
weekend, and relax (i.e. party) a bit before the big two nights of Nationals action.
I've tried to track down Marty Boyer (who is recovering from a stroke suffered this past
spring) in the past few days since I arrived late Tuesday, but haven't had much luck. He's
staying with his parents here in town, and I'm sure he's been resting up in anticipation of
visiting with his many friends and supporters over the weekend. I'll try to visit with him a
bit when I can and let you know how he is doing (I'm hearing he's making slow but good
progress). Please continue to keep Marty and his family in your prayers - he's still got a
long way to go and he needs all of the support he can get.
If you want to help Marty, please consider buying a t-shirt offered by MidgetMadness.com
- $10 of each sale goes to Marty and his family to cover expenses from his illness. You
can check out the t-shirts at:
http://www.midgetmadness.com/top_gun/2007/merchandise.html
Also, if you wish to send Marty a card, here's the address:
Marty Boyer
1112 N St.
Belleville, KS 66935
I posted photos from yesterday that might give you a general idea of what Belleville looks
like on an off-day (some of which might seem odd, but I know at least my extremely artistic
mother will understand why I took them). I took a picture of the new Dollar General store
because a Belleville native told me that was the only thing that had changed between last
year and this year - Dollar General had moved to a new building on US36, so I thought
that warranted a picture! Isn't it nice when you can come back to a place you love so
much year after year and positively know that nothing major will have changed? That's
Belleville, for sure. Although most people think "progress" and "new" and "improved" and
"bigger" and "better" are good things, when those terms apply to change at Belleville,
they're not. I'm perfectly happy with this town being "stuck" exactly where it was 15 years
ago.
Please take some time to check out my friend Chris Lovett's reports on his yearly visits to
the Belleville Midget Nationals, all linked on the main Belleville updates page. If you've
never been here before, you'll certainly get a great idea of why everyone who comes to
this race week falls in love with this place. Unfortunately for all of us, there will be no
2008 update from Chris, as he could not make the trip this year - but rest assured, he'll
be back next year. Chris and I have been friends for years, and meet in Belleville yearly
under "our" shelter by the horseshoe pits (see yesterday's pics) - one of the best places
to camp in all of Belleville (water, electric, shelter from the blistering sun and rain, and just
generally a cool place to hang out each day). We are lucky that we have been able to
secure this spot each year, and hope to for years to come.
Taking a walk around the fair yesterday afternoon (rides were not in operation yet, but
everything else was open and going), I toured each barn with all of the usual fair animals
on display - cows, horses, pigs, chickens and roosters, goats, lambs, etc. Although I love
animals and have certainly been around many of these types before, I spent most of that
time laughing because of the various moo-ing, oink-ing, snort-ing, cocka-doodle-do-ing,
and baa-ing going on all around me. I think they were offended that I was laughing at
them, but I couldn't help myself - it was hilarious! But it did give me reason to pause and
think about how different my life would have been had I grown up on a farm instead of a
suburb, and that it would have been an equally delicious childhood to the one I am lucky
to have had.
Here are the official results from tonights All Star sprint race:
Time Trials
1) Dale Blaney – 2 – 14.520
2) Lance Dewease – 30C – 14.568
3) Randy Hannagan – 1X – 14.596
4) Tim Shaffer – 83 – 14.646
5) Danny Lasoski – 33 – 14.736
6) Greg Wilson – W20 – 14.770
7) Don Droud, Jr. – 1 – 14.817
8) Brian Ellenberger – 20E – 14.867
9) Jeremy Campbell – 0 – 14.899
10) Brandon Martin – 11M – 14.907
11) Ryan Meyer – 56R – 15.152
12) Bruce White – 96AU – 15.220
13) Brad Greer – 3B – 15.321
14) Mike Chadd – 4 – 15.453
15) Brad Shaffer – 93 – 15.494
16) JD Johnson – 98 – 15.597
17) Miranda Throckmorton – 22T – 15.637
18) Lee Stark – 16 – 15.844
19) Chad Blonde – 5B – NT
Heat 1 Finish
1) Mike Chadd – 4
2) Brandon Martin – 11M
3) Dale Blaney – 2
4) Don Droud, Jr. – 1
5) Tim Shaffer – 83
6) Miranda Throckmorton – 22T
Heat 2 Finish
1) Brian Ellenberger – 20E
2) Lance Dewease – 30C
3) Danny Lasoski – 33
4) Brad Shaffer – 93
5) Lee Stark – 16
6) Bruce White – 96AU
Heat 3 Finish
1) Brad Greer – 3B
2) JD Johnson – 98
3) Jeremy Campbell – 0
4) Randy Hannagan – 1X
5) Greg Wilson – W20
6) Chad Blonde – 5B
7) Ryan Meyers – 56R
Feature Finish
1) Tim Shaffer – 83
2) Danny Lasoski – 33
3) Lance Dewease – 30C
4) Greg Wilson – W20
5) Don Droud, Jr – 1
6) Dale Blaney – 2
7) Brian Ellenberger – 20E
8) Jeremy Campbell – 0
9) Randy Hannagan – 1X
10) Mike Chadd – 4
11) Lee Stark – 16
12) Brad Greer – 3B
13) Brandon Martin – 11M
14) Brad Shaffer – 93
15) Miranda Throckmorton – 22T
16) Ryan Meyer – 56R
17) JD Johnson – 98
18) Bruce White – 96AU
19) Chad Blonde – 5B
comments in these sections throughout the week (usually during the afternoons), but will
only post results after the conclusion of each night's event (not a blow-by-blow account of
what's happening on the track each night). Photos from each day will be posted in the
afternoon (from that day and possibly from the previous night's pitside action, so check
back).
What an amazing place! For a tiny little town in the middle of nowhere, Belleville, Kansas
has the best atmosphere of any racetrack in America. You won't find anyone - from fans
to drivers to teams to sponsors and media - who will disagree with that statement. This
town, which is filled with retirees and where you can still find a house for sale for around
$10,000, explodes during Nationals week. Not only are the best Midget racers in town,
but they also schedule the Nationals the week of the North Central Kansas Free Fair,
which only adds to the fun and atmosphere. Thousands of racers descend on this city
located about an hour south of the Nebraska line during this week and take over!
There's only a couple of hotels in the area, so Belleville residents annually open up their
doors and houses to the race teams, and allow them to camp out for the week - usually
resulting in yearly repeat visits and lifelong friendships. If racers are not housed in town,
most tend to camp (like me) at or near the city park. It's the best deal in racing - you are
on the track grounds (about a 5 minute walk to the track and fair), there's a great pool
that gets a lot of use, bathrooms and showers are within 100 feet, horseshoe pits are
available, and friends and soon-to-be friends abound everywhere you look! No one is a
stranger here, and people you only see once a year treat you as family each time we
visit. As with most racers, everyone is extremely friendly and helpful, and campers (and
their stuff) couldn't be more safe here. It really has an old-fashioned feel to it, which I
believe is what everyone craves when they come here. No one is ever in a bad mood,
and you end up being able to totally get away from life's stresses and problems when you
arrive in Belleville. In fact, for years, once I arrive here, I've banned hearing general
world news from my life, preferring to live in the bliss that is Belleville for the week - totally
unaware of what is going on outside of this little slice of heaven. Perfect.
Most of the teams competing in the Belleville Midget Nationals have been in the area
since at least Monday, in preparation for the two POWRi midget shows at Junction Motor
Speedway (McCool Junction) on Tuesday and Wednesday, arriving to park their rigs on
Belleville ground late last night. Today is an off day for the Midget racers, but that
doesn't mean that it's a slow day here in Belleville. The entire town is buzzing about
tonight's All Star winged sprint race, with many big names expected to show up to run the
world's fastest half-mile dirt track tonight (including WoO star Danny Lasoski). The All
Stars will pit on the outside of the track (midgets pit on the inside of the oval) to allow fans
to get up close to the winged warriors. I took a walk to their pit area earlier this afternoon
and only saw Randy Hannagan's rig there - more should be on the way soon. Many are
predicting a sold-out show for tonight! Having an All Star show tonight on the Midget
racer's off night gives everyone a chance to get into town, set up their site for the
weekend, and relax (i.e. party) a bit before the big two nights of Nationals action.
I've tried to track down Marty Boyer (who is recovering from a stroke suffered this past
spring) in the past few days since I arrived late Tuesday, but haven't had much luck. He's
staying with his parents here in town, and I'm sure he's been resting up in anticipation of
visiting with his many friends and supporters over the weekend. I'll try to visit with him a
bit when I can and let you know how he is doing (I'm hearing he's making slow but good
progress). Please continue to keep Marty and his family in your prayers - he's still got a
long way to go and he needs all of the support he can get.
If you want to help Marty, please consider buying a t-shirt offered by MidgetMadness.com
- $10 of each sale goes to Marty and his family to cover expenses from his illness. You
can check out the t-shirts at:
http://www.midgetmadness.com/top_gun/2007/merchandise.html
Also, if you wish to send Marty a card, here's the address:
Marty Boyer
1112 N St.
Belleville, KS 66935
I posted photos from yesterday that might give you a general idea of what Belleville looks
like on an off-day (some of which might seem odd, but I know at least my extremely artistic
mother will understand why I took them). I took a picture of the new Dollar General store
because a Belleville native told me that was the only thing that had changed between last
year and this year - Dollar General had moved to a new building on US36, so I thought
that warranted a picture! Isn't it nice when you can come back to a place you love so
much year after year and positively know that nothing major will have changed? That's
Belleville, for sure. Although most people think "progress" and "new" and "improved" and
"bigger" and "better" are good things, when those terms apply to change at Belleville,
they're not. I'm perfectly happy with this town being "stuck" exactly where it was 15 years
ago.
Please take some time to check out my friend Chris Lovett's reports on his yearly visits to
the Belleville Midget Nationals, all linked on the main Belleville updates page. If you've
never been here before, you'll certainly get a great idea of why everyone who comes to
this race week falls in love with this place. Unfortunately for all of us, there will be no
2008 update from Chris, as he could not make the trip this year - but rest assured, he'll
be back next year. Chris and I have been friends for years, and meet in Belleville yearly
under "our" shelter by the horseshoe pits (see yesterday's pics) - one of the best places
to camp in all of Belleville (water, electric, shelter from the blistering sun and rain, and just
generally a cool place to hang out each day). We are lucky that we have been able to
secure this spot each year, and hope to for years to come.
Taking a walk around the fair yesterday afternoon (rides were not in operation yet, but
everything else was open and going), I toured each barn with all of the usual fair animals
on display - cows, horses, pigs, chickens and roosters, goats, lambs, etc. Although I love
animals and have certainly been around many of these types before, I spent most of that
time laughing because of the various moo-ing, oink-ing, snort-ing, cocka-doodle-do-ing,
and baa-ing going on all around me. I think they were offended that I was laughing at
them, but I couldn't help myself - it was hilarious! But it did give me reason to pause and
think about how different my life would have been had I grown up on a farm instead of a
suburb, and that it would have been an equally delicious childhood to the one I am lucky
to have had.
Here are the official results from tonights All Star sprint race:
Time Trials
1) Dale Blaney – 2 – 14.520
2) Lance Dewease – 30C – 14.568
3) Randy Hannagan – 1X – 14.596
4) Tim Shaffer – 83 – 14.646
5) Danny Lasoski – 33 – 14.736
6) Greg Wilson – W20 – 14.770
7) Don Droud, Jr. – 1 – 14.817
8) Brian Ellenberger – 20E – 14.867
9) Jeremy Campbell – 0 – 14.899
10) Brandon Martin – 11M – 14.907
11) Ryan Meyer – 56R – 15.152
12) Bruce White – 96AU – 15.220
13) Brad Greer – 3B – 15.321
14) Mike Chadd – 4 – 15.453
15) Brad Shaffer – 93 – 15.494
16) JD Johnson – 98 – 15.597
17) Miranda Throckmorton – 22T – 15.637
18) Lee Stark – 16 – 15.844
19) Chad Blonde – 5B – NT
Heat 1 Finish
1) Mike Chadd – 4
2) Brandon Martin – 11M
3) Dale Blaney – 2
4) Don Droud, Jr. – 1
5) Tim Shaffer – 83
6) Miranda Throckmorton – 22T
Heat 2 Finish
1) Brian Ellenberger – 20E
2) Lance Dewease – 30C
3) Danny Lasoski – 33
4) Brad Shaffer – 93
5) Lee Stark – 16
6) Bruce White – 96AU
Heat 3 Finish
1) Brad Greer – 3B
2) JD Johnson – 98
3) Jeremy Campbell – 0
4) Randy Hannagan – 1X
5) Greg Wilson – W20
6) Chad Blonde – 5B
7) Ryan Meyers – 56R
Feature Finish
1) Tim Shaffer – 83
2) Danny Lasoski – 33
3) Lance Dewease – 30C
4) Greg Wilson – W20
5) Don Droud, Jr – 1
6) Dale Blaney – 2
7) Brian Ellenberger – 20E
8) Jeremy Campbell – 0
9) Randy Hannagan – 1X
10) Mike Chadd – 4
11) Lee Stark – 16
12) Brad Greer – 3B
13) Brandon Martin – 11M
14) Brad Shaffer – 93
15) Miranda Throckmorton – 22T
16) Ryan Meyer – 56R
17) JD Johnson – 98
18) Bruce White – 96AU
19) Chad Blonde – 5B