Monster Jam at Metrodome Cancelled

The January 22nd 2011 Monster Jam event scheduled at the Metrodome in Minneapolis (MN) has been cancelled because the collapsed roof will not be repaired until March.

Click here for more information on ticket refunds http://www.monsterjam.com/News/2010/12/29/1/

The Monster Jam event at the Metrodome on November 13th 2010 took place on the night of the first big Minnesota snowstorm of the year, reducing the crowd to about a half-full stadium.

Here is a link to the race story of that event http://racefansradio.blogspot.com/2010/11/digger-wins-monster-jam-mpls.html

Its really a shame the Monster Jam has to be cancelled, but their is no other indoor local facility that could even come close to holding this event and the outdoor options wouldn't work in January for the drivers or the fans.  Its a long time untill the next scheduled Monster Jam event at the Metrodome, its December 2011.

2010 Speedtalk "quotes of the year"

Jason and Dean traveled to race tracks all over the Midwest and interviewed over 40 different drivers during the 2010 racing season.  Here are some of the memorable "quotes" from 2010 as heard on "Speedtalk on 1360" radio.

"I can just about go through turn one wide open, we hit 180 (mph)."  -- Tony Ave (winner of Trans-Am race at BIR)  *pictured above

"They do such a great job promoting here, we dont get HALF as many fans at some tracks, I get excited every time I get to come here." -- Trevor Bayne (talking about Iowa Speedway)

"You dont want to get too much of a lead." -- Mark Bronstad (talking about figure 8 racing)

"It was pretty wild, we came up on lapped traffic, everyone was gunning for the win & I had to ride the wall for it." -- Chris Marek (on his win by .041 at the August ASA Midwest sportsman race at Elko Speedway)

"It doesn't feel good, these cars are alot safer now than they used to be, but I'll be sore tomorrow." -- Reed Sorenson (talking about his big wreck at Iowa Speedway).

"Thats all you stock car guys think about." -- Gary Curtis (Lead instructor at BIR Performance driving school), responding when Jason asked if anyone had crashed in practice during the Trans-Am race.

"Those last 20 laps I went up top and it hooked up and went, I was surprised, should've went up there sooner." ---Ross Kenseth (talking about ASA Midwest tour race at Raceway Park)

"I will never race again without bug spray." -- Roger Newell (winner of Speedtalk 150 at Hideaway Speedway).

"If you are a real race fan, this is the place to be.  The stuff on TV doesnt even hold a candle to this."  -- Dan Fredrickson (talking about the racing at Elko Speedway).



Thanks to all the great drivers and promoters for treating us well all year long, and thank you fans for your loyal support in 2010 both on the radio and web-site.  http://www.speedtalkon1360.com/

Red Bull New Years Eve event cancelled

The annual Red Bull New Years eve event on ESPN has been cancelled this year because of an injury to Longville MN stud snowmobile racer Levi LaVallee.

Levi was attempting to break the record snowmobile jump, and reportedly had gone 361 feet in training, easily breaking the record of 301 feet set by Paul Thacker in Brainerd MN back in 2009.  He was transported to a San Diego hospital on Dec 14th he broke ribs, cracked his pelvis and collapsed a lung in the crash but is eventually expecting a full recovery . 

Levi was named the athlete of the Winter X Games back in 2008 and has won 7 winter X games medals.  He also has ripped up the snowcross circuit for the last decade or so winning many titles.

The Red Bull "No Limits" New Years eve "LIVE" events have taken the place of Dick Clark in our house the last few years.  Travis Pastrana jumping his rally car last year was awesome, and the motorcycle tricks by Maddo in Las Vegas was amazing.  http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/306/2082/Motorcycle-Article/New-Year-No-Limits--History-Made.aspx

Here is a link to some great Levi LaValle moments from ESPN Video http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5899809

Here is a video of the history of this event http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5891513

*photo courtesy of Polaris Industries

"Speedtalk on 1360" wishes Levi a speedy recovery.

I-94 Raceway history web-site

The history of I-94 Raceway in Sauk Centre (MN) has been documented in a new web-site http://smokejackson.blogspot.com/

This web site completely covers the asphalt years from 1994-2008. 

It also has an article about the early years by Steve Domine (the first track annoncer) http://smokejackson.blogspot.com/2011/01/early-years-at-i-94.html

I-94 is currently closed to racing with very little hope of a racing revival.  Here is a story about the track situation http://racefansradio.blogspot.com/2010/10/i-94-speedway-obit.html

All of the point standings are included in this site along with numerous photo's and video links.

Here is a link to a I-94 Raceway TV Commercial that was broadcast on the "Speedtalk" TV show with Jason and Dean back in 2002. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pA2CnaST2NQ

Here is an old TV commercial promoting I-94 Speedway back in 1995 http://www.youtube.com/user/speedtalkon1360video#p/a/u/1/yepj079Pj7A

If you have race photos to share from the I-94 Raceway years, please consider sending them to i94raceway@gmail.com

I encourage all racefans to keep the memory of I-94 Raceway alive, check out this web site. http://smokejackson.blogspot.com/

*photos courtesy of http://www.cricketprints.com/ and http://www.theracingconnection.com/

Changes at Raceway Park in 2011

Donny (pictured above) and Melissa Reuvers will no longer be promoting at Raceway Park in Shakopee (MN).

In a statement on www.goracewaypark.com they said it was a difficult decision but financial circumstances made it no longer possible for Donny and Melissa to continue operating Raceway Park.  They want to thank all the drivers, fans, staff and sponsors for their support over the last two years.

Previous owner John Hellendrung is now taking back ownership of Raceway Park in 2011.  He wanted to announce that the 2010 Awards banquet will be held on Saturday January 22nd at Treasure Island.  The driver registration and 2011 rules meeting will be Saturday January 8th at Turtles Bar in Shakopee.

Raceway Park has a history of over 50 years of racing in Minnesota, its a 1/4 mile asphalt oval in Shakopee MN.  I am told that John Hellendrung is dedicated to keeping racing going at Raceway Park as he has in the past and the rumors of selling the property for development are false.

On a personal note, Donny Reuvers with Raceway Park was a sponsor of "Speedtalk on 1360" and couldn't have treated us better, he is well respected as not only a driver, but also a promoter and a great person.  The car counts went WAY up during his two years as promoter and the racing was really good.  We wish Donny luck in whatever he chooses to do, hopefully he can eventually get back to racing full-time with the ASA Midwest tour.

Jason Searcy
(http://www.speedtalkon1360.com/)

Snowball Derby results

A 18 yr old female driver by the name of Johanna Long (pictured with Bob Dillner) wins the 43rd "Snowball derby" Super Late Model race and $20,000 prize in her home town of Pensacola Florida on Sunday.


Iowa driver Landon Cassill finished 4th.  Former ASA Champ Mike Garvey finished 12th, Bill Elliott's son Chase Elliott finished 17th.

After an up and down day, Minnesota driver Dan Fredrickson finished with a good run in 15th position.

Wisconsin driver, 17 yr old Ross Kenseth got caught up in someone else's wreck and wasn't a factor at the end finishing 19th.

Pole sitter Cale Gale got wrecked and finished 21st.  NASCAR star David Ragan finished 27th.

After many incidents, only 8 cars finished on the lead lap.

Here is the unofficial TOP 10:
1. Johanna Long (*photo courtesy of her Twitter site)


2. Donnie Wilson

3. Scott Hantz

4. Landon Cassill

5. Dennis Schoenfeld

6. Derrick Griffin

7. Mason Mingus

8. Travis Kittleson

9. John Bolen

10. Jimmy Garmon

For more info click onto  http://www.speed51.com/

Snowball Derby Update

Two of our local Super Late Model drivers from the Midwest are racing at the "Snowball derby" down at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola FL.

Former ASA Midwest tour champion Dan Fredrickson (top photo) and 2010 ASA Midwest tour "Rookie of the Year" Ross Kenseth (bottom photo).

Here are the Friday Qualifying results:

1 Cale Gale 16.335

2 Ryan Lawler 16.403
3 John Bolen 16.417
4 Johanna Long 16.42
5 Grant Enfinger 16.442
6 Jimmy Garmon 16.483
7 Donnie Wilson 16.484
8 Dan Fredrickson 16.495   (MN)
9 Landon Cassill 16.516  (IA)
10 Chase Elliott 16.525
11 Casey Roderick 16.533
12 TJ Reaid 16.562
13 Derrick Griffin 16.565
14 Dennis Prunty 16.579
15 Josh Hamner 16.586
16 Ross Kenseth 16.59  (WI)

We will update information as the weekend progresses.


For updates you can also check http://www.speed51.com/ and http://www.asamidwesttour.com/