Thinking Outside the Box
By Walt Newcomb
Tuesday August 28, 2007
Modified Racing at Martinsville; Thinking of III; Our Publisher’s Stock Continues to Rise
The NASCAR Whelen Modified and Southern Modified Tour teams will compete in a combined event Saturday night at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. The third annual “Made in America Whelen 300” will be run under the lights provided by MUSCO Lighting of Oskaloosa, IA. This is a fantastic opportunity for folks from the racing heartland to see NASCAR’s oldest and finest division.
Festivities for the Made in America Whelen 300 weekend will kick off Friday night in Uptown Martinsville. Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville Uptown and its TGIF sponsors have combined to bring a parade of Modified race cars Uptown during Friday’s big TGIF concert featuring the Band of Oz. The race cars will leave the Broad St. parking lot at roughly 7:45 pm, parade around the Uptown area and wind up at the site of the TGIF concert. Admission price to TGIF is $7 with children, under 12, admitted free. Beverages and food will be sold onsite.
Gates will open Saturday at noon for the Made in America Whelen 300 with practice set for 1 pm. Qualifying is scheduled for 5 pm. There will be an autograph session in the infield at 6:30. The Made in America Whelen 300 will take the green flag at 8:30 pm.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $5 for children 6-12 and children 5 and under free. The victor will take down one of the biggest paydays of the Tour season and bring home one of Martinsville’s most prestigious icons, the Ridgeway grandfather clock trophy. Thanks to Mike Smith, Director, Public Relations, Martinsville Speedway.
Unfortunately, we had a tragedy occur on the Whelen Modified Tour back on August, 16th. John Blewett, III lost his life in a racing accident battling for the lead at the Thompson Speedway in Connecticut. John was a devoted family man, one of the best mechanics of the Whelen Modified Tour and a star of the sport.
We at Stock Car City pass along our condolences to the Blewett family and all of the Blewett racing teams. Blewett, from Howell, NJ was 33 and is survived by his son, John IV. John’s brother Jimmy is the defending champion of the Made in America Whelen 300.
The most difficult thing about the loss of John Blewett, III, besides the tremendous personal void in our lives, will be the absence of his example. John worked his butt off in his family’s business and toiled just as hard to prepare the Modified racecars that he and others raced. In an era where the landscape is cluttered with pretty boy media stars that have rocketed to success on a smile, John was the one person we could all point to for the model of anyone who wanted to be successful in racing without the aid of a silver spoon. He was a role model, mentor, friend and a real racer. God speed JBIII.
David Stremme Racing, Inc. announced this week that Mike Calinoff, who has been handling the day-to-day business chores for Nextel Cup and Busch Series driver, David Stremme, has been named V.P. of Business Development for the sophomore driver. His expanded role includes the procurement of new business ventures, endorsement and appearance programs and personal sponsorships. Mike Calinoff in addition to his many other talents is also the publisher of Stock Car City. Thanks Jayski and congratulations Mike.
For everyone who wished there was still a big race to attend in the southeast on Labor Day weekend, there still is. I look forward to meeting everyone at the autograph session for the Made in America Whelen 300. It’ll probably be the best race you’ve seen all year.
I encourage everyone who goes to this race to stand on Lap 66. Hold up three fingers for a different reason. Hold them up in memory of car #66 and the man, John Blewett, III.
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