Shawn Courchesne | Auto Racing

Don't Blame The Racetrack For Racing Tragedies

The knee jerk reaction was nearly automatic when word started to spread Sunday that NorthEastern Midget Association driver Shane Hammond had been killed in an accident during the season opening Icebreaker at Thompson International Speedway.

Automatically people were pointing fingers at the track.

Three lives lost in less than 4 years at Thompson.

It’s not surprising that people, almost immediately following the news of Hammond’s death, came out firing against Thompson, blaming the track, calling it an unsafe place to race. 

Don't Believe The Hype: Playing The Public Relations Game In Short Track Racing

Tuesday I got some news forwarded along to me from a colleague in the business. And really, it was big news.

Donny Lia finished in the top-5 in just the fifth Craftsman Truck Series event of his career. Wow, and here I thought I remembered him finishing 9th Saturday in the Kroger 250 at Martinsville Speedway.

Lo and behold, I went to NASCAR’s media website where, there it was in a big headline, sure enough, “Donny Lia Scores Top-Five In Just His Fifth Craftsman Truck Race.”

Our Little Piece Of Interweb Real Estate Is Growing Up So Fast

They said it couldn't be done.

A racing blog, at the Hartford Courant? Nobody is going to look at that.

Ok, so maybe it's just a few select friends hitting refresh over and over and over and over again, just don't tell the management types here our little secret.

Yes, its a big day at our treasured little piece of undervalued web space here, our little blog is growing up.

Stewed Up: Intimidating It Surely Doesn't Seem

Another edition of The Backstretch’s semi-regular concoction, brewed of the meatiest newsworthy items, opinions and meaningless meanderings down some paths that might not have anything to do with racing. Strap in for the ride.

--- Austin Dillon, the 17-year old grandson of Sprint Cup Series car owner Richard Childress, will race this season in the Camping World East Series for Andy Santerre Motorsports in a car designed strikingly similar to one very familiar to race fans from coast to coast.

Thawing Out From SpeedwayExpo 2008

Yes, the numbness has finally subsided enough in my fingers that I am able to type again.

I was kindly requested to take part in an “Anger Management” dunk tank event last weekend at SpeedwayExpo in West Springfield, Mass. And being the good sport that I am, I obliged.

Friday evening, with a band of onlookers gathering, I took my seat in the dunk tank.

Unfortunately I was never told that part of the allure of the dunk tank experience is the humiliation of sliding some pour sap into a bucket of ice cold water. Now I’m not going to purport my big toe to have some magical meteorological powers, but suffice it to say, the toes were telling me the water temperature was somewhere in the low 50’s.

No Better Place For The Race Fan To Be This Weekend Than SpeedwayExpo At The Big E

For local race fans of most 4-wheeled disciplines the place to be this weekend will be the Big E in West Springfield, Mass.

The Eastern States Exposition grounds is the site from Friday through Sunday of the biggest racing show in New England, SpeedwayExpo, in the Mallory Complex on the Big E grounds.

There’s something for everyone at this year’s event.

The Mallory Complex will be brimming with displays from race tracks, to racing divisions and exhibitors selling racing items that run the spectrum from collectibles to the newest in top line racing gear.

Ready To Take Your Best Shot At Me? Here's Your Chance

I know you’re out there.

The few, the proud, the racers and race directors and track owners and pit crew members and everybody else in between that I’ve annoyed at some point or another over the years.

Come on, I’ve been doing this too long not to know that there’s a laundry list of folks in racing that would just love to take a free shot at me.

Donny Lia Looking For Speed In The Golden State In Craftsman Truck Series

Donny Lia, the 2007 Whelen Modified Tour champion, was a little slow getting up to speed in practice today at the newly renamed Auto Club Speedway of Southern California as he prepares to make his debut as a full-timer in the Craftsman Truck Series.

Lia was 30th of 35 trucks in the first practice session Friday for Saturday’s San Bernardino 200 at the old California Speedway. Lia, from Jericho, N.Y., moved up to 28th in the second session.

Lia will drive this season in the Truck Series for TRG Motorsports where he will team with accomplished Sports Car racing veteran Andy Lally.

Griswold Businessman Set To Buy The Waterford Speedbowl

Multiple sources said Tuesday that an agreement has been signed by Terry Eames, who leads the current ownership group at the Waterford Speedbowl, to sell the property to a group led by Griswold businessman Gregory Mackin.

Two sources close to the situation said that Mackin and his ownership group have signed a lease agreement to operate the track and as part of that have signed an agreement to complete the full purchase of the property within 60 days.

“Terry has made an agreement and has taken money at this point,” said a source close to the situation. “It’s a done deal.”

Agreement To Sell Waterford Speedbowl Signed

A new owner is coming to the Waterford Speedbowl.

Sources confirmed that the group that owns the Speedbowl, led by Terry Eames, has signed an agreement in principle to sell the facility.

“Terry has made an agreement and has taken money at this point,” said a source close to the situation. “It’s a done deal.”