BUZZ SODEMAN MORE COLUMNS Advertisement

Sitting at the north end of spectator seating at the Pahrump Valley Speedway almost always invokes questions, comments, speculation and playful banter.

I would like to address some of the issues raised by not only this great group of fans but also those of some of the racers.

The starting time has always been an issue of the track for as long as I've been associated with the facility.

Promoter Joe Rogers Jr., in the interest of safety and fan comfort, is insisting that races will begin promptly at 7:30 p.m., later than the 7 p.m. advertised locally in the various media outlets. With this said, there was a lot of concern about Saturday night's action beginning nearly a half-hour later.

When I went up to the scoring tower, it only took one look at the front gate to realize that as a courtesy to those fans standing in line, Rogers was holding up the start of the program.

It would have been nice for said promoter to announce this to the assembled throngs who were sitting in puddles of sweat. A little public relations would have been greatly appreciated.

Disappointment reigned supreme when it was announced that only two vehicles, rescued from the jaws of the automobile crushing machine, would be literally demolished before their very eyes.

Rogers had previously told me that he had commitments from "six participants."

In a phone conversation on Monday, Rogers clarified the situation. Apparently, there was an individual "who was suppose to be bringing several" of these demolition cars, "on the back of a car carrier."

Well as fate would have it, "The carrier broke down and was unable to be repaired." Perhaps, Rogers will schedule another demolition derby as I have learned that there are several individuals who possess these vehicle transports.

I understand that if you left before all the banging and beating took place, that you, along with me, didn't miss a thing. One of the two cars stalled after entering the track, was unable to restart and sat there as the other battering ram pounded on it. Not exactly the demolition that everyone expected.

The votes are in, the winner of the PV Speedway wild rides of the season, so far, goes to none other than Dennis Thorn. Thorn was the driver of the bomber than made the banzai charge across the infield, went airborne after reaching the little track's berm and then managed to miss the water truck sitting between turns three and four.

What makes this even more news worthy is this race car looked better than several of the vehicles masquerading as passenger cars here in Pahrump. Speaking of "motorized vehicles," other than Sun City, I have never seen so many unlicensed modes of transportation sharing space on our busy thoroughfares.

I've seen motorized chairs with and without Day-Glo orange flags, scooters that are normally propelled by one's foot are now being piloted with small motors. There are other modes of transportation that defy description but have had a motor slapped on but no one has taken the timeto get a license to operate these often barely visible vehicles.

People ask me what takes place at the drivers' meeting prior to wheel packing. To be perfectly honest, it's like sitting through Racing at Pahrump Valley Speedway 101. It seems that Rogers goes through the same rules and regulations and some of the drivers still find a way to either break them or at the very least, find that gray area so popular in NASCAR.

Saturday evening, drivers were informed that sometimes starting positions are determined by one's participation or lack there of being "one of the boys," could find you starting way behind the fleeting rear bumper of Bryan Wulfenstein.

Discussions routinely touch on speeding in the pits which has replaced remembering whom you are behind should a yellow flag come out. The ability to recall who is ahead of you has helped get the cars in their respective positions quicker than in the past -- of course, there is still the occasional "disagreement" that requires the attention of scorers and the flagman to settle.

Speaking of young Mr. Wulfenstein, I don't think that I've ever been in the presence of such a personable young man. After the pit meeting, Bryan was one of many that expressed their condolences to be conveyed to my wife on the loss of her mother.

My wife, through me, wants to say "thank you" for their concern for her health by Rogers, Casey Kiefer and several fans and racers.

Another young driver that has impressed me with his maturity is Robert Pearson. The teenager picked up his first heat win of the season and is looking to capture a feature event win before the end of the season. These two gentlemen are the types of sons people hope for and surely are a source of pride to their parents.

Several two-day shows are coming up which may cut into the car count, especially the modifieds but that remains to be seen.

Modified drivers who are preparing for the Boone, Iowa, Supernationals are seeking different competition and different track conditions. As one of our modified drivers has told me, "Driving against the same drivers on the same track doesn't improve my driving skills. It has nothing to do with being faithful to a track. I want to be ready for Boone and in order to do that, I need to face more than the usual car count at Pahrump."

I, for one, would like to see some of our resident hot shoes qualify for the A-Main in Boone at the very least but coming back to the valley with the championship trophy would be very satisfying.