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Cold temperatures couldn't put a chill on the red-hot racing action as New Paris Speedway packed the house to watch thier circle track heroes fight to the finish.  The always exciting New Paris Speedway show made it easy for fans and competitors alike to endure the elements, and as always, experience a fantastic show. 

The still growing Pure Stocks division was the first feature of the night.  The “Bull Dog” Gene Hughes No. 47 started on the pole while Jason Weaver No. 11 started on the outside pole.  The 15 lap feature ran caution free with several challenges for the league.  “Bull Dog” took the checkered flag and after the race said "Its always nice to get a win, we are looking forward to seeing some more cars come out and join the fun." 

During the intermission, I had a chance to talk to past Mottville Champion Dennis Zimmerman, owner and driver of the No. 33 Mini-Stock.  Dennis drives an hour and a half every Saturday possible to race with the best of Northern Indiana's Mini-Stocks at New Paris Speedway.  Dennis won his heat and later led half of the Mini Stock A Feature before going over his time and was put to the rear.  Dennis was 4th in points for the 2008 season and when I asked if he was running for points again this year he merely said “Nah, I am just going out to have fun this year” .  While not planning to race a full schedule this year, he and his wife & kids plan to travel to different tracks and just make it a fun year.  Dennis would like to thank his wife and kids, his parents for supplying funding for his motor, Russell automotive, Billy Jean Drive In and Purgatory Towing.  Good luck to Dennis in all of his endeavors!

As the temperatures off the track continued to drop, the action on the track continued to go up.  Rick Slusher No. 4 started on the pole of the Late Model A-Feature, while Rick Hahn No. 22 was on the outside pole.  The first 6 laps went along without incident and then in lap 7 Shear No. 28 found himself facing the wrong direction.  That was followed by a speeding penalty to leader Harvey Taylor No. 21H which left Rick Slusher No. 4 in the lead.  Lap 18 saw Hahn No. 22, Taylor No. 21H and Barry Lamb's No. 69 tangled together in turn 3.  On the restart Josh Sommers No. 32 was in the lead until lap 25 when Bobby Stremme No. 35 and last weeks winner took the lead and never looked back as he went on to the checkered flag.  Following the race Stremme said "We are in it for the championship this year" and if the last few weeks are a small look into the future, Bobby is certainly a force to be reckoned with.  No stranger to racing as his father, mother, brother and cousins all race.  This is Bobby’s 14th year of racing.  I asked Bobby if he was ever scared on the track and he laughed and said “No way, you can’t go on the track scared because you will go straight to the back because you are afraid of something happening.”  Bobby would like to thank Mike Shewchurck No. 16X Late Model, Advanced Property Management, Ryman Designs, Monteith Tire, Mom & Dad, his wife Crystal and their boys. 

The Street Stock A feature saw a highly anxious field of drivers really ready to go racing.  Carl Campbell No. 16 started the race on the pole.  Two minor cautions later, Bobby Schisler Jr. No. 17 took the lead on lap 20 and went on to win the feature. Bobby Schisler Jr. is in his 17th year of racing and already has three championships under his belt.  He said "looks like we might be shooting for another one".  Bobby would like to thank his wife and kids, mom and dad, C&R body shop, Schisler Trucking and Brian’s Service Center.

A full field of Mini Stocks took to the track for the A-Feature.  The first row was Nick Huffman No. 1 on the inside and Bobby Archer No. 86 on the outside.  After an incident in lap 6 where Floyd Wood No. 8 and the No. 33 of Dennis Zimmerman got together, Wood showed off his sportsmanship tapping out and giving Zimmerman his leader spot back.  He held on till lap 9 when he went over his qualifying time putting Eric Frazier No. 69 in the lead.  On lap 14 JR. Ryman overtook Frazier and went on to the feature win.  This is the 6th year of racing for JR Ryman and he is shooting for a championship this year.  JR sends out a special thanks to his cousin, car owner and past New Paris Mini Stock Champion Corey Ryman who now drives No. 17 Late Model.  JR also sends his love to his adorable daughter McKenzie who stood by his side as proud as can be!  Congratulations to JR Ryman and his crew for the 2nd A Feature win in a row and good luck in this 2009 season. 

The hot action on the track made the time fly and keep the chill out of everyone's mind till the end of thes how.  Next week, Donnie Klotz and the fine folks at New Paris Speedway will light up the sky as the annual Joe Hamshire Memorial is next on the schedule with a great Fireworks display anticipated.  If you are in the area, it is sure to be an exciting time at the hottest quarter mile track in Northern Indiana.  Happy and Safe Racing!