BUZZ SODEMAN MORE COLUMNS HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT The Pahrump Valley Speedway will be in action Saturday, starting at 7 p.m., with several classes of cars scheduled to compete on the quarter-mile dirt oval. Advertisement

After covering the action for just over a year, one would think that by now people would be able to interpret or at the very least be able to read between the lines of my racing recaps and opinions.

Apparently, Joe Rogers Jr., the promoter and at least one, very vocal driver during the drivers' meeting, took umbrage with my recap of the races held at the Pahrump Valley Speedway July 21.

One had problems with the title, "Demo Derby Debacle," while both were unable to discern sarcasm from fact.

The fact of the matter is that there were exactly 1,497 words chronicling some very entertaining racing action and two words, "horrible racing" that raised their hackles, leaving the promoter claiming, "I'd rather have no news coverage than negative coverage."

This is the same promoter that proclaims, "I like you because you shoot from the hip and tell it the way it is," Apparently, to quote a line from the movie, A Few Good Men, "you can't handle the truth."

To the best of my recollection, I only received one phone call, that being from the promoter, declaring his displeasure with the article. Not one fan in attendance thought it necessary to call the Times office to voice their displeasure, so let's set the record right.

This writer enjoyed almost every minute of the racing action July 21. There were two instances, both remedied by the promoter, that may have not been enjoyable, and they were highlighted in the recap.

As far as the Demolition Derby, I fully explained, after speaking with the promoter, that the Kiefer family attempted to purchase a couple of cars, as well as offering an additional $200 if one or more of the Bomber drivers was willing to participate.

I also detailed the trials and tribulations of the broken car hauler that was reportedly bringing at the very least, six pre-entered cars, according to the promoter, scheduled for demolition.

One fact remains, whether you love me or hate me, some of you continue to purchase the PV Times just to see what I have to say. An old boss of mine used to say, "It doesn't matter what they have to say, just as long as they spell your name right."

For every unhappy driver or promoter, there are two drivers, fans or parents of a racer that are just grateful that someone is willing to devote an entire Saturday evening in providing a racing recap to those who are unable to attend the races for whatever reason.

When I write anything that can be construed to be controversial, I am there at the track to face whatever music that may be in store for me, either to defend my position or listen to the side of the person who may be offended. I accept any and all responsibility for whatever I write except for the race results, which, as I've always reiterated, are unofficial.

From what I'm being told, the PV Times is the only reliable source of racing recaps and I've also been told that I directly affect the passage of fans through the front gate at the Pahrump Valley Speedway.

Either way, none of this affects the way I write or how I report on the Pahrump Valley Speedway. It certainly isn't the money; it isn't the notoriety that keeps me sitting with the track's loyal following in the various adverse weather conditions.

Like them I do it out of respect for each and every driver that climbs behind the wheel of his or her racecar and cheats death each and every lap.

I do it for the drivers that thrash before each and every race, into the wee hours of the morning, and then rise to a job that provides the bankroll of this expensive hobby to do this on a regular basis. I do this so an individual like Bryan Wulfenstein, Jonathan Burch or Robert Pearson can see their names in print for everyone to see. So that they know that there are others who appreciate their talents and their entertainment value to the community.

I don't do it for the promoter nor do I do it to see that horrible picture of myself in Wednesday or Friday's paper. I certainly don't do it to see my name in the byline. Enough said.

Before you publicly unload on one of your biggest fans, realize you can't please all the people all the time.

Thank you, Mrs. Pearson, for reminding me of that fact.

There are a couple of young ladies who work at the track that deserve a mention. They have the responsibility for scoring the race cars during the action. What a totally thankless position this is especially when fans are getting antsy in their seats as drivers either disregard the directions of the official starter or continue their on track disputes over the same piece of real estate.

Casey Kiefer and Taryn Stinson sit in a box that is hotter than most saunas and relay the order of the lineup following a yellow flag to the flagstand. The order is determined as the racers passed by the flagstand on the previous lap. These young ladies are committed to their jobs .

Petersen/White Lightning race update ... Principal driver Tomas Enge has been relieved of his duties, effective immediately, by the race team in accordance with the two-time American Le Mans Series GT2 Driver Championship-winning team's written policy on driver expectations and conduct.

Enge was released approximately 45 minutes into the two-hour and 45-minute event. Enge was assessed a penalty by IMSA stewards and officials for causing damage to a car while on probation. In accordance with a written agreement regarding the driver's probation, team manager/entrant Dale White followed team policy and protocol and released Enge immediately. Enge has been on probation since the Lime Rock race.

White issued this statement, "...Tomas has been on probation with the team, as well as with IMSA, since Lime Rock Park and our policy and understanding with Tomas is clear. It was understood that we would not and could not tolerate any further penalties and that any additional penalty would be dealt with in this manner."

Despite the damaged racecar, the team soldiered on for a top five finish at Mid-Ohio.The release put a cloud over the team which had qualified second, just 0.417 seconds off the GT2 pole.