I know I have been a little lazy about posting on here lately, so please accept my apologies. I also have not sent out Christmas cards this year (not even at home). So please enjoy this revamped 2005 version of the “T’was the Night Before Christmas”.

So our Christmas card to you is this.

Wishing our whole racing family be it driver, crew or fan a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Bob and Gayle

‘Twas the night before Christmas when all through the track.  Not a racecar was started, not even an impact.

The mud plugs were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that dirt racing soon would be there.

The drivers were nestled all snug in their seats, while visions of checkers would not know defeat.  And Gayle in her headset and Bob in his cap, had just settled down for a long winter’s nap.  When out on the track there arose such a clatter, we sprang form the tower to see what was the matter.

Away to the pit window we flew like a flash.  Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.  The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow, gave the luster of mid-day to the race cars below.  When what to our wondering eyes should appear , but a UMP Late Model and eight tiny race gears.

With a “Hall of Fame” driver loved by a lot, I knew in a moment it must be Dick Potts.  More rapid than hot laps his coursers they came, and he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name.

“Now, Walden! Now Mathew! Now Spatola! Now Losh! On Leuck on Rudisill on Krick and on Hurst!  To the top of the cushion but stay off the wall, now race away, race away, race away all!”

As dry sumps that cause horse-power to fly, when thy meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.  So up to the pits the coursers they flew, with a car full of Hoosiers and yes Dick Potts too.  And then , in a roaring I heard off the wire, the sound of grooving on each Hoosier tire.  As I drew in my hand, and was turning around, down to the winner’s circle , Dick Potts did bound.

He was dressed all in race gear from his head to his foot,  and his clothes were all covered with red clay and soot.  A bundle of tires he had flung on his back.  His eyes-how they twinkled, his tear offs how merry.  His cheeks were like roses, his oil light a cherry.  His mischievous grin was drawn up like a bow, and his Bell helmet was white like the new fallen snow; the steering wheel was held tight in his hand, and a neck brace encircled his neck like a band.  He had a fast Late Model and trophies galore.  The hall of Fame inducted him shall we say more?

He was quick witted and wise, a sportsman like elf, and I smiled when I saw him in spite of myself.  A wink of his eye and a twist of his head soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.  He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.  And laying a finger aside of his nose, and giving a wave, to the pits he drove.  He sprang to his car, to his crew gave a whistle, and away they flew like the down on a thistle.  But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, Merry Christmas, Good Racing and to all a good night.

Merry Christmas,

Gayle

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I know it’s been a really long time since a Gayle’s Desk has appeared on the website, I don’t really have a good excuse except I just haven’t gotten one done. There was the banquet to get ready for and of course baby Dailyn to take care of and just being plain burned out didn’t help matters. I am still burned out and I still have Dailyn four days a week but at least the ‘Party’s Over Now”.

Yes the party’s over and I think everything went pretty smoothly (except the incident concerning the blocked men’s room door, and that’s the type of thing that burns me out). I thought Awards Unlimited did a fabulous job on the trophies again this year and Freckle’s Graphics always does a great job on the jackets. University Plaza Hotel did a great job setting the room up for us and the food was wonderful. All in all I thought it was a very nice party.

I think everyone knows who the top 10 in each class were by now but other award winners weren’t announced until Saturday night and they were;

Class Rookies- Late Model-Michael Kettnich, Modified-Jim Ransom, Sportsman-Joe Buchanan, Street Stock-Brad Battering, all around rookie-Brad Battering.

Class record went to Modified driver Chuck Haga with a lap time of 14.34.

Employee awards; Male track-Frank Boardman, female track-Linda Gregory, concession stand-Michelle Powell, EMT’s- Dave Karlstrand and crew and employee of the year  went to flagman Rick Isaacson.

Chassis Builder of the Year-Marvin Burton, Engine builder-Rick Hufford and crew cheif-Mike Spatola Jr.

Jim Fiedler True Grit Award went to Street Stock driver David Hurst. Along with his trophy he received a check from K-Motion Valve Springs and Hypercoil Springs for $450.

Last Dog Out-Jaret Leuck, Little Man Award-Hayden Rinker, Gayle’s Sunshine Award-Mike Spatola, fun awards-Beer key-Jaret Leuck, Blind officials-Rick Isaacson, Ronnie Orr, Frank Boardman, Matt Davis and Corey Maxson.

The Sportsman of the Year  award went to Street Stock driver Jesse Peters.

Music was provided by Kimmie C of Lafayette.

Now it’s time to start thinking about the Performance Racing Industry Trade Show coming up in December. This trade show is to promote the valve spring part of our business. The holidays are also closing in on us so I would say I will stay pretty busy for the next couple of months.

In closing I would again ask you to keep our armed forces in your thoughts and prayers. They will miss the holidays with their families to ensure our freedom to be with our families. With all that said until next time stay safe and be happy.

Gayle

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I know it’s been quite a while since I have actually posted a new Gayle’s Desk and I do apologize for that. It seems like my time slips away from me between K-Motion, Kamp Motor Speedway and home. I also keep our  six month old granddaughter Dailyn three nights a week and sometimes four so her mother can work. That also keeps me busy. I keep thinking I will get this done today and then today slips away. I can now do this from home since our old computer finally gave out and I now have a new one, but then again I have Dailyn and sometimes our four year old grandson Hayden. Ok! OK! enough excuses I will get busy and get on with typing.

Since I post congratulations to the feature winners and other KMS winners on the websites home page every week, I will just start fresh with congratulating last weeks winners.

In the Late Model for the second time this year it was the #25 of Dan Walden who was giving the victory interview. Dan picked a good night to win with the feature pay having an extra $500 sponsored by Pepsi. Congratulations Dan on your feature win.

In the Modified it was the #89 of Mike Spatola who was collecting the feature win money plus the extra $500 sponsored by Pepsi. This is not Mike’s first win at KMS this year but I think this one was achieved by having a new mascot in his hauler (inside joke). Mike has chalked up wins at other tracks in past several weeks also. Congratulations Mike on your feature win.

The winner of the Sportsman class is no stranger to the Allstar Victory Lane. It was none other than the #27 of Rick Hufford. Rick also raked in that extra $500 sponsored by Pepsi. Congratulations Rick on your feature win.

The Street Stock race was a close race between the #99 of Jerrad Krick and the #1 of Jeff Houchens. When the checkers came out it was the #99 of Jerrad Krick who was headed to the victory lane to receive the trophy and his extra $500 sponsored by Pepsi. Congratulations Jerrad on your feature win.

In the Modlites it was the #11 of Bob Phillips who was collecting the trophy and giving the winning interview. Congratulations Bob on your feature win.

This weeks 50/50 drawing worth $367.50 was won by April Hurst of Chalmers, Indiana. April was holding winning ticket #247640. Congratulations April on your win.

The “Kid’s Trophy” drawing was won by Jordan Smith of Danville, IL. Jordan chose to receive his trophy with the Late Model feature winner #25 Dan Walden. Congratulations to both Jordan and Dan on their KMS wins.

The “Kamp Lucky 5″ was hit, but no one has yet come forward to claim it. The stub number is 001681 drawn out by Modified winner #89 Mike Spatola. It is a gray ticket stub.

It was also very nice to see Dan Hamstra back in uniform a couple of weeks ago. He was driving the #130 Chad Osterhoff back up car.

Saturday was also Fan Appreciation/Pepsi Night at Kamp Motor Speedway and we had a great crowd. There were lots of kids and the drivers were great about signing autographs and giving out goodies such as candy, t-shirts and balloons. Each child received one of the new programs to collect autographs. A special thanks also to Jason Feger who sent door prizes and hero cards to hand out to the kids. Jason was not able to be there. We even managed to get Hall of Fame driver Dick Potts out there to sign autographs.

This Saturday August 9th will be a full program of UMP Late Models, UMP Modifieds, UMP Sportsman and the UMP Street Stocks. The Saturday of August 16th will be a full program of UMP Late Models, UMP Modifieds, UMP Street Stocks plus the UMP Sportsman Special for $1000 to win (based on a full field of cars). The Crate Late Models have also been added to the program on August 16th including young Crate Model driving sensation Tyler Allen. Be sure to mark your calendars for a full slate of racing on August 16th.

We do have a few issues to mention, such as the writing on the bathroom stall walls especially in the women’s restroom. All though there are some good things written about drivers there are also things that aren’t so good. So lets just not write anything. Also I don’t believe a person needs a half of a roll of paper either. This is what causes the toilets to get stopped up and over flow. We all have jobs to do and stopping to unplug a toilet because of to much toilet paper gets to be time consuming not to mention it’s a nasty job.

We have also had some issues in the pits with drivers or crew members entering other pits uninvited. As one driver well knows this can lead to a few hours in the “Cross-Bar Hotel” and just like any hotel the stay isn’t free. The fines are also not free and probation keeps you under a watchful eye. So don’t enter another drivers pit unless you are invited to do so. I know it has been hot and this is the time of year when points are on everyone’s minds but please no matter how hot it is keep your cool.

I am looking for a driver preferably in Lafayette to come with me to a girl scout meeting on August 14th. The meeting is at Bradford Place Apt. Club House on the south side of Lafayette. The girls are trying to earn badges and they need to do something that involves racing. If you are interested give me a call for more details.

In closing I would again ask you to keep our armed forces in your thoughts and prayers as they wage the war against terrorism. With all that said until next time be happy and be safe.

Gayle

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I know it has been a while since my last Gayle’s Desk and I do apologize for that. I have been really busy trying to look busy. In other words I keep going and nothing seems to get accomplished. So here I am on July 3rd getting ready to go back in time to the UMP Late Model Summer Nationals. So here goes.

For the UMP Late Model Summer Nationals the Late Model win went to the #J1 of Wes Steidinger. Wes put on a great exhibition of racing on the National race and we want to congratulate him on that win. Congratulations Wes on your $10,000 win.

In the Modifieds it was the #7R of Kent Robinson who took the win and the $1000 prize. Kent has won several times this year at KMS and always puts on a good show. Congratulations Kent on your feature win.

In the Modlite feature it was the #1C of Stan Camden who was accepting the trophy in the Allstar Victory Lane. Congratulations Stan on your feature win.

Ok we are now up to June 21st. Maybe you noticed or maybe you didn’t but Bob and I were among the missing on the 21st. Bob had his high school reunion in Memphis, TN that weekend and we chose to attend the reunion. We had a good time but yours truly kept sneaking out to call the track and check on things.

The winners on the 21st were Late Models #25 Jason Feger,Modified winner was #89 Mike Spatola, Sportsman winner #00 Jaret Leuck, Street Stock winner #K67 Ian Keller and Modlite winner #22 Brian Menefee. Congratulations to all of the feature winners for the 21st.

I think I am just about caught up because now I am up to June 28th.

In the Late Models for what I believe is his 3rd time this season (it could be 4) it was the #1 of Mike Mataragas who was giving the Victory Speech in the Allstar Victory Lane. Mike and his Dad Dan have built their own car this year and they seem to have the bugs worked out of it and are landing quite often in the victory lane. Congratulations Mike on your feature win.

In the Modifieds I believe for the 2nd time this year it was the #130 of Chad Osterhoff who was giving the winning interview. Chad has done an awesome job of racing this year at Kamp Motor Speedway. Congratulations Chad on your feature win.

In the Sportsman it was the reigning track champion #10H Ryan Huddleston who was making his way to the Allstar Victory Lane. Ryan had some real battles out on the track on Saturday but he was triumphant in the end. Congratulations Ryan on your feature win.

In the Street Stocks for the $500 to win Avery Henry Street Stock Memorial it was the #8 of David Hurst who was making his way to the Allstar Victory Lane. David had made a statement that his motor was not up to par when he did the qualifying draw. They must have got the problem fixed before feature time because it was the whole Hurst crew that was in the winning pictures. Congratulations David on your feature win.

The 50/50 drawing worth $269 was won by Jason Chapman of Portage, Indiana. Jason was holding ticket #202933. Jason is a crew member for Late Model driver #V77 Guy Volk. Congratulations Jason on your win.

The “Kamp Lucky 5″ winner was Ryan Hankins of Lafayette, Indiana. Ryan was holding stub # 002587 drawn out by Modified winner #130 Chad Osterhoff. The “Kamp Lucky 5″ drawing was worth $100. Congratulations Ryan on your win.

The “Kids Trophy” was won by Christian Porat of West Lafayette, Indiana. Christian received his trophy with the Street Stock winner #8 David Hurst. Congratulations Christian on your win.

We have had some graffiti problems again in the women’s restroom. Besides defacing Kamp Motor Speedway property awful things are being written about our drivers. This needs to stop. We will be checking quite often from now on. So if you know someone who is making a statement in the restrooms please warn them to stop.

We have also been having problems with lap cars being hit and spinning them out. This is unfortunate as the lap car is damaged and the car who hit him is not only damaged but also unfortunately put to the back. A long time ago drivers voted on not using a move over flag. After these unfortunate incidents the flagman will now be using the move over flag. Hopefully this will help with this problem.

Don’t forget this is the 4th of July weekend and Kamp Motor Speedway will be be having our annual Giant Fireworks Display. There will be no price change on Saturday night. Also since this is the weekend of the 4th please be careful with fireworks at home it only takes one mistake to loose a limb or possibly a life. So be careful when handling fireworks. Even sparklers can cause bad burns. Also parties and cookouts are going on everywhere over the 4th so be carefull when using liquid cheer and choose a designated driver and be careful on the roadways because everyone is in a hurry and not everyone chooses a designated driver.

In closing I would again ask everyone to again keep our armed forces in your thoughts and prayers as they fight to keep our great country independent. So with all that said have a great 4th of July weekend and until next time be happy and be safe.

Gayle

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I know, I am terribly behind but at least I am behind on everything and not just one thing. That really makes me consistent on not getting things done in a timely matter. Mother Nature has also been consistent, consistently mean. Hopefully this weekend she will be just a little more co-operative when it comes to weather.

As I said I am behind so that means I am behind on my congratulations so I will do a quick re-cap on the races from May 31st.

In the Late Models for the American Late Model Series Sunoco race it was the #49 of Brian Ruhlman who was giving the victory speech and accepting the trophy. Brian hails from Michigan and it is always a pleasure to have him here at Kamp Motor Speedway. Congratulations Brian on your feature win.

In the Modifieds it was the #21L of Derek Losh who had wielded his way to the victory lane. There is some really tough competition in the Modified class at Kamp Motor Speedway, which goes to show what a tough competitor Derek is. Congratulations Derek on your feature win.

In the Sportsman for a repeat performance in victory lane it was the #00 of Jaret Leuck who was accepting the trophy and giving the speech. Congratulations Jaret on your feature win.

In the Street Stock it was the #8 of David Hurst who took the checkers first. David has been running well this year but has had some bad luck out on the track. This week the bad luck streak was lifted and it was David giving the victory speech and accepting the trophy. Congratulations David on your feature win.

No one claimed the 50/50 so we redrew on June 7th. the winner was Janet Sanderson of West Lafayette, Indiana. Congratulations Janet on your win.

There was no Kamp Lucky 5 winner on May 31st.

I have lost the name of the kids trophy win but it was a very cute young lady.

Ok am I caught up? If so we will move on to June 7th which was the Twin City Dodge-Chrysler Double Down night.

The winner in the Late Models was the #1 of Mike Mataragas. Mike and his dad Dan have built their own car this year and have been really busy working the kinks out of it. They must have gotten them worked out as Mike was the one giving the victory speech after winning the $2400 sponsored by Twin City Dodge-Chrysler of Lafayette. Congratulations Mike on your feature win.

In the Modifieds for a repeat win it was the #21L of Derek Losh who was again in victory lane accepting the trophy. Derek took home a double payday of $1200 again sponsored by Twin City Dodge-Chrysler of Lafayette. Congratulations Derek on your win.

In the Sportsman for a 3-peat it was the #00 of Jaret Leuck who was collecting the trophy and the $800 payout sponsored by Twin City Dodge-Chrysler of Lafayette. Congratulations Jaret on your win. I also want to thank Jaret for picking up the phone and calling Nate Barrett of Twin City Dodge-Chrysler to thank him for the Double Down night. He really appreciated that gesture.

In the Street Stock for another repeat performance it was the #8 of David Hurst who was collecting the double down payout of $600 sponsored by Twin City Dodge-Chrysler. Congratulations David on your feature win.

I also would like to thank these drivers for bringing their cars out for the radio remote on Friday night June 6th at Twin City Dodge-Chrysler. Those drivers were Late Model driver #4 Rob Starkey, Modified drivers #3 JR Coyner and #19K Michael Kettnich, Sportsman driver #17 David Huff, Street Stock driver #13P Jesse Peters and Modlite driver #95 Todd Padgett. Thanks guys we appreciate your coming out for the broadcast.

This weeks 50/50 drawing worth $259.50 was won by Larry Betterly from Manistique, Michigan. Larry was holding winning ticket #792420. Congratulations Larry on your win.

There was no winner in the “Kamp Lucky 5″ drawing this week. That pot will be worth $400 for this week’s drawing.

The winner of the “Kids Trophy” was Megan Sweat 3 of Lafayette, Indiana. Megan accepted her trophy in Victory Lane with #00 Jaret Leuck. Megan is the grand-daughter of Sportsman driver #81 Kenny Sweat. Congratulations Megan on your win.

I also want to send out a big thank you to Nate Barrett of Twin City Dodge-Chrysler for sponsoring the double down night.

I would also like to report that Gerry Gobel is home from the hospital after a quadruple bypass last week. Get well soon Gerry we miss you.

This week is the UMP Late Model Summer Nationals otherwise known as the “Hell Tour”. The tour starts out tonight (June 12) at Kentucky Lake Motor Speedway, then travels on to Brownstown on Friday the 13th (Maybe Jason will win, OOOOOHHHHH!!)and then on to Kamp Motor Speedway June 14th. Times and prices are posted on the front of the website.

In closing I would again ask you to keep our armed forces in your thoughts and prayers as they guard us 24/7 to keep us free of terrorism. They do their job so you can sleep peaceful in your own country. I would also like you to keep the victims of the recent tornado’s and floods in your thoughts and prayers. They have and are facing a long road of recovery from the devastation.

With all that said until next time be happy and be safe.

Gayle

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