TheAutoLog Blog

One on One with "The Show Stopper" Allen Tippen

June 15th, 2009 · by: ajpayne · 1 Comment
 
The fact that I was impressed by the person I have chosen for this article is truly an under statement indeed. When Christy Hudson of the AMP Series sent me the link to Allen Tippen's interview in my email, the thought did not cross my mind that I would be listening to this 13-year racing veteran has logged many miles from Texas, to Alabama. As I listen to the Minden, LA driver, I noticed a guy that truly loves dirt track racing, does a great deal, with what he has and made the most of what he has at hand.

http://ajpmotorsports3.com

and I talked about one of his biggest moments in his career, when he won a 100 lap $5000.00 to win race down in the Houston, Texas area in 2006. Allen told me that this is the biggest race of his career to date, and this to me shows that Allen has to be one the top drivers in this part of the country. In addition, I believe that after a 2007 race season where he won 1 feature, and finished 2nd in points with the OReilly Supr Dirt Late Model Series, he will have a break out 2008 race season where he will follow all 19 races with the AMP (SUPER) Dirt Late Model Series.

Moreover, some of Allen's other accomplishments include track championships in 1996 at Bayou Speedway along with the 96 Madness on the Bayou, in 99 won the Boothill State Championship, 2001 at Champion Park. He won 4 Supr late model series wins to go with a 9th place finish in the points.

http://ajpayne.info

Oh yea, I will say to all my reads to get to a race this year to see what I believe will be an action packed race season. This season will not be a let down with drivers like Allen competing in the AMP (SUPER) Dirt Late Model Series, as well as at a track near you when he is not running the AMP Series. Furthermore, if you do not have a favorite driver, and want to have a driver that will put on a good show, I would suggest pulling for Allen this up coming race season.

In addition, Allen pointed out to me he would not be able to do what he has done without his dad, (Mr. Troy Tippen.) In addition, Allen added that he felt it was an honor to follow after his father, which is always there for him to make sure, Allen is ready to go and has everything he needs to go compete at the highest level possible so Allen is as successful as possible each time he hits the track. Oh yea, let me say something at this point, and I do not want my reads to overlook in this article.

http://ajsvehiclesupply.info

and his dad are another example of what this sport is all about to me, and do not get me wrong there are other examples as well I have and will write about. However, this story reminds me of the guy and his dad that taught me a lot about dirt track racing when I was young. Therefore, the reason I bring this up is that I see a guy that has taken very little and done some awesome things with what he has to work with when he drives onto the track. Therefore, if you are a fan without a driver to pull for, or a businessperson looking for someone that would be a fine marketing partner, Allen is well worth looking into.

Nevertheless, with that said, Allen will be ready for the season and looks forward to get his new GRT 71A Late Model for this upcoming season with the AMP (SUPER) Dirt Late Model Series. Furthermore, Allen pointed out how he was happy to know he was so warmly received by Christy Hudson the promoter of the AMP (SUPER) Late Model Series, he also added that this meant a lot to him, that she stayed in touch with him. Although when he has a chance, he will be at a race that makes scents to get to when he is not racing with the AMP (SUPER) Late Model Series.

http://youravon.com/apayne-jr

Finally, Allen would like to thank the following sponsors: Troy Tippen Racing, Smith's Towing and Xtreme Graphics.

 

On a Rail—the issue that Frame’s the question of rule’s

April 17th, 2009 · by: ajpayne · 0 Comments
 
Written by contributor: AJ Payne (The Dirtracer Insider)
April 17, 2009

Now as many of you may know by now from our chats both in person and online that I have been around auto racing and more directly dirt track racing all of my life. In addition, it needs to be made clear that in no way am I trying to come across as slamming any one, or origination. However, I have been doing a great deal of reading, checking as well as putting my thoughts together on the current state of auto racing and in general dirt track racing. Now there is a good chance that this article will be one in a series of articles that I will contribute about this subject.

Over the past two weeks, it has come to my attention, that a new issue has come to light that has the whole Usmts, IMCA, and UMP world up in arms. One might ask what kind of issue could be so awful that it has taken the place of items like traction control, engine, and body rules. You would surprised to discover that this big issue that has the bloggers up in arms is the relocation of the frame rail on the right side of many modifies built in the past year by some of the many car builders around today. When I was watch the interview of Gary Clark done by an interviewer from the Kansas City area on YouTube, I was taken back that some in the world of dirt track racing have sunk to such low levels that we have made a mountain out of a mole hill as the information, suggested to me as I was listening to another interview, talking about an problem that is not a problem within itself, because if my view it does not give a completive advantage in any way, however, I will add that this series and of racing bodies do have a rules package in place to address this issue. Therefore, to me anyways it should be a clear what this area of the car should look like.

Something else that should be of higher concern is the rules package for the bodies, and again this is not in anyway me suggesting that the world of modified racing should go backwards in its body rules, however, for me it is clear in my mind that one can make the body of their car into somewhat of a upside down wing. Now do not get me wrong, because in most cases it only helps to a point, which possible could be looked at as a completive advantage. Now my basic for making this claim comes from two areas. One my background in the building of race cars in the 20 + years of being around the dirt track community, two the fact that I have seen body styles on some cars that go way out there in my mind, when it comes to something, which folks should be looking at as a completive advantage. Again another example I could add is the fact that back east in upstate New York primarily for the east coast style mods, which is what you call a run what you have race. And of course there are those that go all out with cars that have wings as high as two stories, which no doubt help with the speed of the car and one could only guess what would be stirred if this began happening across the board in the Imca/Usmts style modifies.


Moreover, the idea that someone that possible had to many cans of brew, before he spouted off to some track officials makes this whole deal—even more off the wall to me, to say the least. Therefore, the correct way in which this issue should have been addressed was to address this in more of the manner that the Imca/Usmts went about addressing this issue, which was to research the statements made and look at the cars in question. Not to drag this across the forums, by trashing chassis builders, that other wises are well respected car builders, who’s only short coming was—one keep up with other car builders that have been doing more than just rolling this right side frame rail up, in addition, to that begin to provide more invitation for their loyal customer’s.


However, do not mistake this as me referring to the justification of any rules to being broken here, since to me those people were making more of an issue, than it truly should be with many, more important issues at hand. For example, up until this year I had noticed problems with the rules package that the Usmts had put into place to try to begin to curb the skyrocketing cost to the race teams of the parts and pieces that had been getting out of hand in many cases. Nonetheless, I noticed a real lack of a plan to enforce this rules package. Of course I should be very clear, that I saw an improvement in this issue this year at the West Siloam race. Although I will add, that from my view point there is still a great deal to improve on with the engine package, it did come along ways in my mind—beginning with this past race at the West Siloam Speedway.

In addition, this got me thinking much more about what I have been hearing from different folks right before the season gets under way on their thoughts on issues within the dirt racing family that are important to them. For example, how the economy and the effect in which it has had on them in the past few months. One thing that stands out to me, is the fact I have heard of more tracks closing down before the season gets underway and others that have been sold with no chance of anyone coming in and saving the track from the wrecking ball. Another thing is there are tracks cutting back on events in which they are going to hold in the 2009 race season. Of course it does not stop with the tracks, there are race teams from every level that are shutting down, or cutting back on what they will do until things turn around for them.

Of course my last point addresses the issue of track prep and how in some places it is much better than in others. Now it has not escaped my thinking that there are those cases, in which there has been way too much rain for the track to ever be 100% prefect for good side, by side racing. However, I know that there is still no reason why either the race is not postponed or possible cancel due to the simple fact that the track will not be in the shape it has to be in to produce the type of racing that people paying at least $8 or more should be able to get for their hard earned money. Do not get me wrong, I am in no way putting down those track works that work very long and hard hours to put on a race. Nonetheless, it is important to note—the car owns that have to folk over the amount of cash it takes to fix their car each time their car hits a track that is rougher than a cob. This could very well cause that car owner to think twice before going back to a track that is under prepped for the type of side-by-side racing that those that payout such high prices should be getting from there local race track.

Finally, I end with this, which I find it in very poor taste to throw a company like Dirtworks race cars under the bus, which from my view point is what has happen here. Because the truth of the manner is here, that what has folk’s all up in arms—has been happening for many years now. Plus much more than just a frame rail, which is the case, since those I worked with on race cars in my area, have done different things to the frame, to make it more to their liking. Of course with most track in this area at the time this was perfectly legal since most tracks at the time were concerned outlaw tracks, which simply means anything went, and no doubt it do go on, and at least from my view point helped make the modifies a overall much better car in many ways.Oh, by the way I will be continuing my comments on this issue in an on demand format with more of my thoughts on this issue.

http://ajsvehiclesupply.info or http://ajpmotorsprots3.com

http://ajapyne.info

http://dougsdirtdiary.com

 

Jumpin Johnny McGill; One Class Act...!

April 3rd, 2009 · by: ajpayne · 0 Comments
 
Written by: AJ Payne (The Dirtracer Insider!)

Hello, I want to say thank you to everyone that stuck by me while I took some time off and finished my college classes. Even though I did run into some problems with my main computer I got my classes done and finally got this article completed and I sure hope you enjoy and give me some feedback. Oh and I am glad that John was not an old man in a wheelchair before I got this article done...lol



Therefore, in preparing this article on what has to be one of the top racecar drivers around the country that I have had the pleasure to get to know in what has to be some time now, and I have to thank a good friend of mine named Liz who not only help me bring to you who I believe is one of the classiest dirt track racers around today but provided the photos used in this article about Jumpin Johnny McGill from Plattekill, NY. Now the first thing that I would have to point out from our chat that I noticed about John is the fact; he is truly one dynamic personality, who has a true passion for any form of auto racing. This was the next thing that came across to me as we talked. However, I will say the chat was an experience that was one of those special ones for me anyways and no doubt will stand out for me for some time to come.



I know for me at least, as he was talking about things like his adopted parents taking him to the old historic asphalt track at Danbury, CT where many legendary drivers like Randy LaJoie raced in those days. John pointed out to me that even though his adopted parents enjoyed taking him to the race, that they themselves had not ever be involved in auto racing, but rather just going to enjoying a day at the races. Nonetheless the seeds were sown for his love of auto racing thanks to his adopted parents taking the time to take a young John McGill to the races, which clearly hook a young John McGill on the sport of auto racing for life.


However, it was not until he first climb behind the wheel of a racecar that he had an outlet for this passion for auto racing that was within him. John talked about how he raced in a spectator race in 1984, which he won, and as they say the rest is history. Therefore, soon after the experience, John decided it was time to go out and get his own racecar and thus begins John’s race career.


John had early success in the street stock class by winning fairly regularly, with four wins and third in points in his first year. However, the thoughts of running a big-block modified was just to great for a young John McGill as he moved up into a big-block modified after three years in the street stock division. Although, John pointed out it was a longer learning curve becoming completive in the big-block division, which was not made any easier, because of the fact that John was not always able to put the budget together to compete in the big-block division.


Nevertheless, he was able to stick around the track as a track announcer at a few different tracks in between being able to race his mod. Oh and trust me John is someone that is able to do both with no problems, because as I listen to John, he I know with the right equipment in the big-block class, there is no telling what he could do, behind the wheel. However, I believe even if he wasn’t able to continue to drive, that some track promoter needs to get him as their track announcer and I know he told me there are tracks wanting him to announce for them, although in my mind we need to keep popular talents like John around, since the fans at the Accord Speedway love him so much.


Furthermore, as we were talking he talked about to me about how he was out golfing with a long time friend Charlie Dangalos, which was the former crew chief of one Brett Hearn, which I will admit is one of my racing hero’s. Well anyways back to the article, John was telling me how Charlie talked to John about getting back in to racing five years ago and of course John did not have to take long to give his long time friend a reply about getting back behind the wheel and compete at Accord Speedway.


Sadly this new partnership was not one that lasted long due to Charlie passing away right after the first night together. Which would cause most people to just give up, but as I notice from John he did not feel that Charlie would have wanted John to continue. Therefore, after five years of being consistence in the points as well as on the track, and this came to a head as he visited victory lane this year for only the second time in his racing career. Oh and he was telling me how he ran through the grandstands waving the checker flag and given high fives to the crowds delight. This is something that I believe anyways is one thing which is missing in the dirt track racing today overall and this is what I truly thought was awesome to hear from John.


The above are just a few of many of reason why John is such a fan favorite at the Accord Speedway In Accord, NY and with two wins, along with top 5’s, and 10’sfinishes on his resume over the past ten years he has raced in the Northeast Modified division is why he is at least thinking it is time to go out on top. Although, my hope is that John will continue in someway within the sport of auto racing. Since it would be a shame to loose such a great asset to the sport of auto racing completely like John has become over the past few years.


Oh yea, I would be a miss if I did not add as I was talking to John he brought up a couple things that stuck out to me, which I believe is a good way to end this article. The first item he talked about was the heartwarming and inspirational story of SST. Eddie Ryan, who was injured pretty badly over in Iraq and was overwhelmingly greeted at the Accord Speedway, This was later described by SST. Ryan’s parents as the best welcome home greeting, that SST. Ryan had gotten since he had been back home. The other item that stuck out for me in the chat was his time at a pavement racing school after he had sold out the last time he had gotten out of dirt track racing. John also talked about his time with one young Dale Earnhardt, Jr. before he was a popular household name across the country. John, talked about all of the different NASCAR drivers he met while he was at this driving school, and one can only imagine it meant more than the cost of the class to get to meet some of the NASCAR drivers he was able to meet on this trip. It has to be what the credit card ad would call priceless.


Lastly, I must add, John reminds me in many ways of a Will Roger’s for auto racing, because of how he is able to recall the history that he has seen, in the stories that he tells in that classic New York way. This gives the older generation the chance to remember those special moments of the past, and helps the younger generation have a better understanding of the sports past. Therefore, since people like John do not come around everyday it is important that we take the time to listen and understand the history of this sport through someone as gifted in the art of commutation of the stories he tells in the funny and exciting way that only he can tell them.


Now I would like to thank the marketing partners of my articles:

http://theautolog.com

http://ajpmotorsports3.com

http://ajpayne.info

http://redbearhandcleaner.com

http://www.dougsdirtdiary.com/search/drilldown.php?tree=1173
 

Conrgratulations!!!

January 25th, 2009 · by: Alex · 1 Comment
 
Congratulations to angelfactory the 2008 Profile of the Year!  You can view the complete results here.
 

Coming soon

January 17th, 2009 · by: Alex · 1 Comment
 
The 2008 Profile of the Year contest starts on January 19th!