| Weekly Race Report & News |
| McLaughlin Motorsports |
6/3/08. Click on the link, and watch the audio show about how high fuel prices are effecting local race tracks.
Vern McLaughlin III was invited by his brother Michael to race his go-cart at Snydersville Raceway on Friday Night. Vern was happy to take the offer, and qualified for the feature with 40+ cars making the attempt. Vern was started 14th, while Michael was in the 7th starting position. It was a tough race with a lot of contact going on. Vern had to restart at the tail end of the field twice, and managed to come home in the 9th position, and brother Michael who is a multi feature winner at Snydersville Raceway finished 4th. Vern had commented that the most fun he had all night was just getting the chance to hang out with his brother at the track. With both drivers having very busy racing schedules, neither get much time to spend together during the weekends. Vern is looking forward to visiting Snydersville Raceway again in the future, but coming up next Saturday at New Egypt Speedway is another Outlaw Stock Feature Race where you can be sure the McLaughlin Motorsports Team will be there. 6/21/08 The very large crowd on hand was treated to another exciting Outlaw Stock race as Vern McLaughlin III and Richie Smith of McLaughlin Motorsports turned up the heat once again. The 15 lap Feature Race had McLaughlin in his Absolute Auto Salvage sponsored #06 starting deep in the pack in the 17th position, while Richie Smith in the McLaughlin Motorsports #6 car was starting 12th. It was going to take McLaughlin a lot of work to get to the front from so far back, but that is something the 2007 Champion is used to. Most times Vern starts in the back of the pack because of the way the handicapping system works. Basically if you finish in the front you must start in the back the next race. McLaughlin sure does know how to get to the front as he again was making some very daring moves to get there. On one particular restart he rocketed right through the middle of the cars in front of him to pick up a few spots, and then at one time the Whitehouse Station driver made it four wide going into turns three and four hanging his #06 Outlaw Stock way up the high groove four wide picking up a few more spots. In six laps McLaughlin went from 17th to 3rd, and was putting the pressure on the second place running car then got by to pick up the second position a couple laps after. Again, for the second week in a row McLaughlin was contending for a win coming from deep in the pack. Vern's car was hooked up and running very fast. A little slip up going into turn one where it seemed to be very slick caused McLaughlin to get high up in the turn running through the marbles and going down the backstretch loosing a little traction allowing the 3rd place car to get by. Although Vern was not giving up he was right on that cars bumper looking to take back the second position when the leader spun all by himself coming out of turn four. The second place car quickly maneuvered around the spinning car while McLaughlin was left with no where to go and t- boned the leader right in the drivers door causing major damage to McLaughlin's Championship contending car. It was a very hard crash with both drivers a little bit shaken up. The cars were still able to run at the required pace, but both had to restart at the rear of the field with two laps to go. McLaughlin then again gave it all he had to wrestle a damaged car, and regain a few spots coming across the finish line in 10th position. A disqualification of the second place car resulted in the entire field moving up one spot giving McLaughlin a 9th place finish. Richie Smith, in the #6 Outlaw Stock, felt his car was a whole lot better than it was last week, and had a pretty decent run. A couple of times getting caught up in someone else's wreck, and having to make a pit stop to open the air box more to the radiator because of running a little hot. Three times Smith had to restart at the rear of the field, but it was early in the race allowing him to have plenty of time to get back to the front. Smith had the #6 hooked up and was finding holes to slide through picking off cars one at a time. The race was winding down, and Smith made his way back into the top five coming across the finish line in 5th, but with the DQ of the second place finisher gave Smith a 4th place finish which is exactly what he needed to stay in contention for this years New Egypt Speedway Outlaw Stock Championship. Smith did make contact with quite a few cars during the race and ended up with quite a bit of damage to the body of his car as well. Both McLaughlin Motorsports cars got pretty torn up this week with a lot of damage, especially to McLaughlin's car #06 which is going to take allot of time and money to get fixed and be ready for their next Feature Race scheduled for July 5th. "Yea, the cars really got wrecked up this week. Both cars are damaged, but mine is really bad. The entire front end of the car is destroyed being the fenders, rad support, bumper, motor mounts bent, and even the frame got bent. It was a very hard hit and stopped my car dead like hitting a brick wall. I am not happy about it at all. Again I was looking at a victory, and circumstances took it away again. I was really looking forward to having a week off, and being able to do other things, but now I have a ton of work to do to repair both cars, and that is not fun," McLaughlin stated. "The car is torn up, but I am real happy that I was able to bring home a top five for the team this week," Richie Smith stated. "I have to say that Vern really knows how to set these cars up and make them run fast. My car was horrible last week, and both Vern and I made some major changes to the front end which paid off big time. The car ran like it was on a rail, and if I did not have to restart at the rear the times I did I feel I had the car to beat. This #6 car was definitely a winning car tonight, and I have to thank Vern for setting it up for me. I feel real bad for what happened to him, but I know he will be back up front again next time contending for a win, and I sure hope he gets it because he most definitely deserves it," Smith stated. Look for the McLaughlin Motorsports Outlaw Stocks to be back in action again at the half mile dirt oval on July 5, and don't forget to play the Trivia Game for your chance to win two FREE tickets to New Egypt Speedway.
Egypt Speedway once again to compete in the Outlaw Stock Division after coming off an outstanding one- two finish last weekend with Vern McLaughlin III capturing his first ever New Egypt Speedway feature win. The team had quite a bit of work to do to the cars to get them ready for this weekend race. The Outlaw Stocks were called out for their line-up as the first feature race of the night. McLaughlin was lined up 13th in the Loumarc Signs sponsored #06 Chevy Monte Carlo with Smith in the 11th slot behind the wheel of the #6 Chevy Monte Carlo Outlaw Stock. Vern McLaughlin III felt very confident that his car was going to be able to get him to the front. It was only going to be a matter of how the Whitehouse Station, NJ driver was going to get to the front. When the green flag dropped, McLaughlin started darting through the traffic finding the holes needed to start advancing up towards the front. Richie Smith, in the #6, was having a slightly difficult time getting his car to handle properly as major changes that were made back at the shop did not seem to be working out the way we had planned. Smith gave it all he had with an ill handling car to salvage a sixth place finish when it was all said and done. The action up in the front of the pack was heating up as McLaughlin found his way to the front once again, and was having another side by side battle for the lead just as he did last week with his teammate. This week though was Champion versus Champion as McLaughlin and Klimeczak were having a very hard battle as to who was going to be the leader. They swapped the lead back and forth a couple times, but it looked like McLaughlin was going to make it back to back wins at the dirt oval as he was looking stronger than ever. This battle for the lead was extremely exciting for the fans to watch as thousands looked on and cheered for the #06 car. McLaughlin made the daring four wide move on the outside coming out of turn two down the backstretch taking over the top spot, but it had seemed that Klimeczek, in the #11 car was not happy with McLaughlin taking over the top spot, and the only way to prevent McLaughlin from winning was to spin him out in turn three so he can regain the lead. McLaughlin went around and kept his car off the inside wall as the caution flag waved. Vern McLaughlin was understandably very upset, and by no surprise so was about the entire grandstands full of fans as they were just about all cheering for McLaughlin. The #06 tried to reclaim the top spot as the pace truck came around. He had lined back up in the first position. It was then when New Egypt Speedway officials radioed to McLaughlin that he must restart at the rear of the field. The grandstands was all full of boos as McLaughlin had to drop to the rear and the #11 stayed up in the front. The fans went nuts, all screaming and yelling that the #11 should be penalized. McLaughlin pulled over to talk to a corner official and was told to wait a minute for the official decision to be made. It was being reviewed by the officials in the scoring tower. McLaughlin again fell into the top spot when the pace truck came around again, and was stopped by the flagman on the front stretch. It was then when McLaughlin was told that there was going to be no debate, and had to drop to the rear of the field for being involved in a caution. Then officials decided to move the #11 car to the rear of the field as well, and you can hear the satisfying cheers from the fans when the #11 dropped back. With only 4 laps to go the race restarted and instead of these two top drivers battling it out for the lead, they were now battling it out in the rear trying to regain every spot they can as the race was winding down. Klimeczek got by McLaughlin, but the #06 was holding on strong as the two came out of turn four on the last lap it was McLaughlin edging out Klimeczek beating him to the finish line giving Vern McLaughlin III a tenth place finish. Back to back wins, and an opportunity to gain a bigger point advantage going into this race as the point leader was all flushed down the tubes because someone else was not happy with McLaughlin passing him and winning the race. This battle between the divisions two top drivers was so intense that the popularity of the Outlaw Stock Division is on the rise. The fans love to see side by side battles for the lead, and the McLaughlin Motorsports Team knows how to turn up the heat and put on hair raising, electrifying races. "Man I had it. That race was mine," McLaughlin stated. "I never thought that he would take me out like that. I was starting to become very friendly with the #11 car, and thought that he would not do something like this. We are going to be battling with each other for the whole year and I was feeling like I could trust him to race side by side, but after tonight I don't know what to think. I guess I am going to have to be more cautious when I get around the #11 car." Tell us how it felt taking over the lead, looking at back to back wins, and then getting it all stolen from you in a split second. "It felt very disappointing, and depressing. It felt like someone giving you a couple licks of a lollipop when your a child and then taking it away from you and saying too bad you cant have anymore. I mean, how do you think it felt. It certainly did not feel good, but you know what? I am going to go back again next week and I will get to the front you can bet your bottom dollar on that," McLaughlin replied. Richie Smith, driving the McLaughlin Motorsports #6 car came home with a sixth place finish for the night. "I am glad to be able to pull off a top ten. The car was definitely not the way it was last week, and Vern seems to know why. Some front end suspension changes that we made back at the shop did not work out, and we know what to do to fix it so I feel pretty confident that I will be able to come back again next week and have a better run," Smith replied. Was there anything you can do to help your teammate with the battle he was having for the lead? "No, and I am sorry that I couldn't help Vern. Also sorry that he had to have his first Saturday night win taken away from him. Those guys had a half a track lead on me, and there was nothing I could do. My car just would not turn in or out the way I would have liked it to, but again we will get it fixed right and be back again next week to put on another fantastic show," Smith stated The Outlaw Stock Division seems to be growing, and the races are definitely getting more and more intense as the weeks go on. The field seems to have five top drivers that can get to the front, and these guys are going to put on some intense races as the year goes on. So if you would like to witness this excitement head on down to New Egypt Speedway next Saturday night June 22nd for another Outlaw Stock Feature Event.
6/8/08 The McLaughlin Motorsports Team spent a long, hard working week on getting three cars ready for Sunday afternoons race at New Egypt Speedway. The third car was the #45 donated by Rob Longo for Vern McLaughlin Jr to drive in his first ever race. Then of course the #06, and #6 Outlaw Stocks needed some work to be prepared for Sundays race as well. The team was all set and ready to go heading down south on a very hot Sunday afternoon. Outside temperatures were over 90 degrees, but inside the race cars with the drivers suited up were feeling temperatures over 100 degrees. The drivers had ice packs, and water bottles strapped in their cars, but the hot, humid afternoon was not going to hold back these determined drivers. When the team arrived at the speedway they set up their canopies for shade and waited for their warm up rounds which is where trouble had begun for the #45 car. Vern McLaughlin Jr. was feeling very comfortable in his car despite the heat, and being his first time ever in a race car. Outlaw Stocks were called out first for their hot lap warm up session, and Vern Jr. was only able to make two warm up laps before the pinion, and driveshaft broke in half leaving the car dead out on the track. The tow trucks hooked up the car, towed it into the pits and it was all over. It was very disappointing for Vern Jr. as he had so much support, and was looking forward to racing all week for it to just go down the drain that quick. But, that's racing. Sometimes things just break that you have absolutely no control over, so Vern McLaughlin Jr. could do nothing more but cheer on his son Vern McLaughlin III and his teammate Richie Smith. Vern III was coming back after experiencing overheating problems for the last two races, but seemed to have fixed the problem after we saw him come off the track from warm ups at 190 degrees which would be a normal range. The Outlaw Stock 25 lap Feature Race was scheduled first with Vern McLaughlin III behind the wheel of the SUNDOG sponsored #06 Outlaw Stock starting dead last with Smith in the #6 starting right along side of McLaughlin. The green flag waved and 18 Outlaw Stocks raced into turn one, and through turn two down the backstretch. McLaughlin was working his way up through the pack, and then found himself battling with the #11x for a position. It went on for a couple laps as the two drivers were fighting over the position it resulted in McLaughlin blowing out his right front tire, which brought out the first caution flag. The #06 then headed into the pits for his Power Team Pit Crew to change the tire and get their driver back out onto the track before the restart. McLaughlin just made it out in time to get the restart. Right from the initial start it was very dangerous for the drivers to be out there as there was so much dust you could not see anything in front of you at all. Cars were spinning out and no one could see them which left them in a very dangerous situation with other cars coming around at full speed. When McLaughlin came out of the pits after having his tire changed he ran another two laps and noticed the dust was getting worse so the regular Saturday night point leader decided to call it quits for safety sake and pulled off the track. After parking his car, Vern made his way up to the officials building to complain about the track conditions, and it was then when they decided to stop the race and water the track down, but at that point McLaughlin had already gone a couple laps down so it was not even worth getting back in. Meanwhile, Richie Smith, in the #6 SUNDOG sponsored McLaughlin Motorsports team car was still holding on strong, and stuck it out for the whole race even though he could not see very well either. Smith was slowly making his way through the pack picking off cars to get to the front. He made his way up into the third position, and was battling hard for the second spot but time had ran out, and at the end of the 25 laps when the checkered flag flew Smith came across the finish line in third, with McLaughlin tenth, but the best was yet to come. The McLaughlin Motorsports Team had to get their cars cooled down, dust blown off air filters, and radiators to get ready for the main event which was the 50 lap Enduro race. Vern McLaughlin III, owner of the race team decided to enter both cars in the Enduro Race, and it sure was worth it. 18 Cars started the 50 lapper with McLaughlin and Smith again starting at the rear of the field. When that green flag dropped, New Egypt Speedway fans did not know that they were about to witness one of the best races, and finishes so far in all the divisions that run on the half mile dirt track. Both McLaughlin and Smith were picking off cars left and right making very daring moves to get to the front. There were times where the teammates were running three and four wide trying to get to the front as quick as possible. One lap saw them four wide going into turns three and four with McLaughlin way down in the low grove, and Smith way up in the high groove sandwiching two cars between them. By the time the first leader had dropped out and pitted due to mechanical failures McLaughlin had moved into the third spot around lap 10. Then new leader spun around moving him into second, and then the next new leader spun out handing the lead over to Vern McLaughlin III for the next 8 laps. With not being allowed to have mirrors, Vern did not know who was behind him, but to no surprise it was Richie "The Rocket Man" Smith in the #6 car showing his nose on the outside of McLaughlin. Smith was running stronger then ever and two laps later passed McLaughlin on the outside going through turns one and two taking over the top spot. "Yea, I saw him sticking his nose on the outside of me. Richie was running that high groove while I was down the bottom, and I saw him getting allot better bite then I was" McLaughlin stated. Smith was putting on his best performance so far this year as he was hooked up, and flying around the half mile track up in the high groove like the way Billy Pauch does it most times. McLaughlin then had his work cut out for him, as Smith was trying to check out, McLaughlin held on strong, and found himself held up a few times behind lap traffic. This enabled Smith to gain a good five six car lead on McLaughlin, but the Outlaw Stock point leader was not going to give up. These two drivers are extremely determined to prove not only to the New Egypt Speedway fans, but also to themselves that they are a force that is going to be hard to beat. The laps were winding down and we have not seen the best part yet. McLaughlin was leading with ten to go, But Smith got the signal from the flagman with five to go. McLaughlin was slowly reeling in Smith, and with three laps to go these two drivers were having the "BATTLE OF THE YEAR." Vern tried changing up his line as he saw Richie running the high groove and getting bite, Vern was running the low groove and was very loose. It was McLaughlin, then it was Smith, McLaughlin, Smith. Back and forth these two were swapping the lead, and when they came out of turn four splitting a lap car, the flagman was ecstatically waving the white flag, and McLaughlin and Smith were dead even across the line with one lap to go. This was a very breath taking race, as all the fans where on their feet, and the owner/promoter of New Egypt Speedway, Bill Miscoski said it himself, "You guys put on one heck of a show." The McLaughlin Motorsports Teammates drove into turn one harder then ever as it was a neck and neck race to the checkers. Going into one, McLaughlin went in high, and swooped down low, getting a good run off two with Smith still running the high groove. Down the backstretch they went still neck and neck, into turns three and coming out of four. Smith up high, with McLaughlin down low. Vern in the #06 washed up high getting right along side of Richie door to door, and who was it going to be? The flagman had double checkered flags waving frantically in the air as it was McLaughlin coming across the finish line ahead of Smith to capture his first ever Feature Win at New Egypt Speedway, and on a dirt surface, as he has always been an asphalt driver. This was extremely big for the McLaughlin Motorsports Team, and the Victory Lane celebration was one they will never forget. The fans were up against the fence cheering for these two drivers as they had just put on an awesome hair raising race. In Victory lane we caught up with both drivers to get their thoughts on the outcome of this fantastic battle they just had with themselves. "Man, that was the best race I had ever had in my entire life," McLaughlin stated with so much excitement and a tear or two coming from his eyes. Both drivers gave each other high fives and hugs in Victory Lane as the excitement was overwhelming. "I saw Richie running that high groove, and it was working real good for him. He was very strong up there and I knew it was not going to be easy to get by him. I even tried to move up into his groove a few times trying to run him down. When he passed me the first time I was a bit surprised, and I knew then he was strong and was going to be tough to beat. How does it feel getting your first win here on dirt? "Awesome," McLaughlin replied. "I have been running very strong here right from opening night. I knew it was only going to be a matter of time before I win one. Winning races is very important to me and means allot. Its boost our confidence level, and makes us feel satisfied that all of our hard work has paid off. We do have some real good competition here at New Egypt Speedway in the Outlaw Stock Division. I'm due for a win in that division any race now too, but who knows, maybe Richie will get it before me with the way he is running now. I am really not liking the clean up too much, but besides that if we have a real good track its awesome. I am very grateful for Bill and Fred providing a race track for us to compete at, and a great facility as well," Vern McLaughlin III stated. Lets get back to your team and your teammate. How did you come to get Richie Smith as your driver of the #6 car? "I met him through another good friend of mine, Skip Ecles, who drove my other car at Wall Twsp Speedway back in 2005. I did not have it planned for Richie to be the primary driver of the #6 car this year, but the plan that I did have did not work out, especially with the closing of Wall the plan had to change. That's when I decided to offer the full time ride to Richie, and go dirt. He accepted the offer. Richie has been racing his own cars for quite some time now from Enduros to Street Stocks, and even Demolition Derbies so I knew he had some experience, but I did not know how good he was going to be. After today's race, I am positive that Richie Smith will get to Victory Lane before this season is over, and I am very happy to have him as my teammate," McLaughlin replied. The second place finisher stated that he would have not wanted to finish second to anyone else. "That race was great. I did not even know I was leading until the flagman showed me five to go. I did see Vern trying to get into the turn harder to try and get a run on me, but man, my car was hooked up in the high groove, and it felt great," Smith stated. Did you feel that you had to let up some to let Vern win being that he is the owner of the car you are driving? Any thoughts come into your mind about that? "Absolutely not," Smith replied. "Vern put me in this car to win races, and if its him I have to race I am going to give it all I got. We gave each other plenty of room out there, but I had the pedal to the floor, and was not letting up at all. I was going for it. I wanted to beat the guy that owns my car. Vern is a great guy, and likes to be very professional with his race team which makes me feel privileged to be part of it, and I am so happy to be part of his team. He is an awesome racer as well and can be a threat to win at anytime, anywhere. I have learned allot from Vern so far, and being part of his team is going to make me a better racer, and I thank Vern for giving me this opportunity," Richie Smith stated. How did your car feel today compared to the past times running here? You seemed to be stronger than ever today. "Well, believe it or not my car was broke right from the beginning," the runner up finisher stated. "The initial start of the race was a false start because of a pile up of cars in the first turn, and another car slammed into my right front wheel." So your saying that your car was broke from lap one, and you were able to almost pull off a win, lead some laps, and finish the race with a broken car? "I don't know how, but I did it. I felt there was a problem, but I did not know it was as bad as it was until we got it back to the shop for a closer look. The right front upper control arm was bent in half, and broken. The bushings where completely out of there place, and all the shims that set your caster/camber were missing. They must have fell out onto the track somewhere. I cant believe I was able to do what I did with a broken right front. A broken left front is not all that bad, but the right front is what you need to support the car going into these rough turns. I did the best I can with a broken car, and it turned out to be not a bad finish at all. My confidence level has gone way up now, and its because of Vern McLaughlin III, his Dad, and the rocket #6 car that Vern has giving me to drive," Smith replied. It was a One-Two finish for the McLaughlin Motorsports Team. Something that they were not able to accomplish at Wall Twsp Speedway, although the team recorded 8 Feature wins in 2007 at Wall between both cars. Here at New Egypt Speedway on a dirt surface that neither driver has hardly no experience at all have gone on to record one feature win for Vern McLaughlin III in a 50 lap Enduro, two second place finishes, a bunch of top fives, and top tens enabling him to be the point leader in the Championship Standings in the Outlaw Stock Division, and Smith with four top fives and six top tens putting himself in fifth place in the Championship Standings. This Outlaw Stock Team of Vern Mclaughlin III, and Richie Smith is one that is very exciting to watch, and they will be back in competition next Saturday night, June 14 at New Egypt Speedway. So come on down with your family and friends to cheer them on and be there to witness their next spectacular race. Don't forget to play the Trivia Game for your chance to win FREE tickets to New Egypt Speedway.
Nick Marcigliano, Brian Smith, Bob Wolgemuth, Jason Bundy, and Rob Longo.
Speedway officials did their best to get the show in. Early thunderstorms put the track in jeopardy of having a good racing surface. Track workers were prepping the track all day up until about 6:30 - 7 pm which was running late. The Outlaw Stock Feature Race was scheduled to be the last race of the night, but it had gotten too late and track officials called a meeting between the Outlaw Stock drivers to come up with a solution. It was going to be two exhibition races on Sunday afternoon, and wrist bands for entry will be rain checked for the next Outlaw Stock Feature race which will be on June 14th. The exhibition races for Sunday afternoon were going to be for money only, and no points. The McLaughlin Motorsports Team made a last minute decision to haul the cars down on Sunday to race since they did not get no track time at all Saturday night. Some major changes were made to both cars the #06, and #6 which needed to be tested out before the next point race so Vern McLaughlin III, owner of team, and driver of the Absolute Auto Salvage sponsored #06 felt it was a good idea to get down to the track on Sunday to shake down the cars and see what they got after making the changes. The drivers had to draw for their starting positions, and Vern drew 11th, while Richie Smith, driver of the Absolute Auto Salvage sponsored #6 car drew 9th starting position with a total of 12 cars. This is something that Vern McLaughlin III is quite used to. He starts in the back of just about every race he is in, and somehow races his way to the front almost every time. The cars were all lined up and coming out of turn four for the green flag, the first race was on. McLaughlin quickly started to make holes and moving up the pack until the #00 car made contact with McLaughlin's car going into turn one on the second lap which caused Vern to spin out, and stall the motor in the middle of turns one and two which brought out a caution flag. Vern got the #06 fired up and had to restart at the rear of the field after making it up into the seventh position. That was certainly not going to slow down the 2007 Champion. He was very determined to get to the front, and on the restart Vern made a daring three wide move coming out of turn four for the green, and hammered down the front stretch.Vern was making several three wide moves as he was on a mission to prove that he is a force to be reckoned with. Four laps later Vern was into the top three and becoming a major threat to the leader. Another caution came out, and Vern had lined up into fourth position, having to freeze the field from the previous lap for the restart line up. Vern was lined up on the outside of the #11 car which is the car he is battling with in the point standings. Coming out of turn four again for the green, McLaughlin made another daring three wide move and split the leader and the second place car right down the middle going down the front stretch. The second place car made it to the turn before Vern did, but then spun out allowing Vern to move into second place, and the caution flies again. Coming from the rear of the field in four laps, McLaughlin was lined up in second place, and was looking to make a move on the leader with two laps to go. Maybe a little short on horsepower, Vern could not catch the #1 car and came across the finish line in second place. While all that was going on, Vern's team mate Richie Smith was watching Vern make the holes and followed him through each one. When Smith moved into the top five, he was battling with another top runner #11 and was able to beat him to the line coming out of turn four for the checkered flag which gave Smith a third place finish in the first race right behind his team mate. There was only about a 15 minute break, and the Outlaw Stocks were going out for their second Feature Race. The finishing order from the first race was inverted to obtain the line up for the start of their second race. Very surprising to see there was one car missing. Vern McLaughlin III in the #06 was not coming out onto the track, and Warren Alston, New Egypt Speedways Official Flagman, was waving the green flag for the start of the second Outlaw Stock Feature Race. Richie Smith started in 11th position, and was starting to pass some cars trying to make his way back to the front. Smith found himself getting held up by some slower cars, and then shortly after that a car spun out in front of him and Smith made contact with the spinning car resulting in some right front damage to the McLaughlin Motorsports #6 Outlaw Stock car. Caution came out, and Richie had to restart at the rear of the field. Green flag waved and the race was on again. Smith again was making his way to the front, and spun out himself going into turn one. Caution flag came out again, with Richie having to restart at the back again. Back under green, Smith was determined to get to the front before this was all over, and he was passing more cars. The race was winding down and Smith got himself up into the top five with two laps to go, but lost a little ground in turn three and four allowing another car to get by him, and for the checkered flag, Richie Smith in the McLaughlin Motorsports #6 car came across the finish line in 6th position. It was not a bad day for the McLaughlin Motorsports Team. Richie Smith piloting the #6 car had finishes of third and sixth, while Vern McLaughlin III had a second place finish in the first race. We caught up to the owner/driver after the races to find out why he did not make it out for the second race. "Towards the end of the first race I noticed my feet were getting extremely hot, and I looked at my engine temp. gauge which read 240 degrees. My engine was overheating with three laps to go, and I was in second place. On one of the restarts, I held back from the leader some to try and get my engine cooled down before they threw the green flag. I was debating on weather to call it quits or not. These races were not for points so I did not want to damage my engine. I felt it was wise not to enter the second race with having cooling problems, and save my engine for the point races, McLaughlin stated. What could be the cause of the overheating problem? "Well the previous point race a big chunk of mud came up and ripped my water pump belt off, and overheated the engine that night. We got it back to the shop and put on a new belt, flushed out the water system, and here we are again overheating. At this point now, I don't know what could be causing it, but we will get it fixed back at the shop,and be back again for the next race, McLaughlin replied. The next Outlaw Stock Feature Race will take place on June 14th. Don't miss out on all the action. Head on down to New Egypt Speedway for a night full of excitement at a very reasonable price for you and your entire family. Don't forget to play the Trivia Game for your chance to win two FREE tickets to New Egypt Speedway.
for their third race of the 2008 season full of confidence and determined to continue their success on the half mile dirt track. Vern McLaughlin III, driving the Automotive Service Center sponsored #06, came into the nights event as the new 2008 Outlaw Stock divisional point leader, with Richie Smith in the McLaughlin Motorsports #6 car listed in the 8th position in the standings. With only three races in the record books, McLaughlin has a long way to go to protect that point lead, with Smith having the opportunity to climb up the ladder in the standings. The Outlaw Stock division saw 18 cars in the lineup for their feature race. Soon after the lineup was posted, the track officials announced that New Jerseys other dirt track, Bridgeport Speedway, could not get their racing surface groomed and prepared for their nights event forcing them to cancel. This left the Bridgeport Race Teams the opportunity to head up north and try and make it into New Egypt's race. Sure enough five Outlaw Stock Teams from Bridgeport Speedway showed up increasing the Outlaw Stock field to 23 cars, but would have to start at the rear of the field for not being there early enough to be handicapped for a starting position. Vern McLaughlin III, coming off a second place finish on opening night just barley missing the win, and a tenth place finish on the 5/3 race started race #3 in the 13th position driving the #06, while Richie Smith behind the wheel of the #6 car started in 12 position. McLaughlin knew that he had to get to the front as quick as possible with these feature races only 15 laps it goes by pretty quick. The Whitehouse Station driver had a couple of fast cars to battle with right from the start, and was advancing up to the front lap after lap. McLaughlin was able to get in front of his teammate which gave Smith the chance to follow his teammate through the field. With a couple of cautions coming out, and the restarts tightening up the field gave Vern McLaughlin the chance to advance even more making his way up into the top five. With three laps to go, McLaughlin saw his engine temperature starting to climb over the normal mark, but did not give up and ran as hard as he can. When it was all said and done, Vern McLaughlin III came across the finish line in his Automotive Service Center sponsored #6 Chevy Monte Carlo Outlaw Stock in fifth position. Richie Smith, driving the McLaughlin Motorsports owned #6 Chevy Monte Carlo Outlaw Stock in 6th position right behind his teammate. A very good run for both drivers allowing Vern to hold onto the point lead, and Smith advancing a couple spots in the point standings from 8th to 5th. Three races into the record books, the McLaughlin Motorsports Team are definitely up on their game, and showing New Egypt Speedway fans that they are a force to be reckoned with. After the race we caught up to the drivers to get their thoughts on the outcome. "The tracks surface was horrible" McLaughlin stated. "I have never raced on a surface with such deep holes and ruts like it was tonight. Man I am so glad my car held together strong as I saw so many other cars just break because of the rough track. It was real hard to control where my car was going to go because if you hit a hole or rut it would throw the car in another direction. Very unpredictable, but I never gave up, and ran as hard as I can to come across the finish line in fifth which I am satisfied with. Vern also stated that he was very happy with his teammates performance as Vern brought in a new driver for the #6 car this year that had no dirt experience as well but seems to be getting a hold of it real quick. How does it feel to be the point leader now with three races in the books? "Well, its still very early, and I have some other fast cars to race against for the rest of the season," McLaughlin replied. "I won the 2007 Factory Stock Championship at Wall from hard work back at the shop, determination, consistency, and being able to avoid the wrecks. As long as I can do the same thing here at New Egypt we will have a shot at it for sure." Richie Smith, Vern's Teammate, seems to be doing very well also, and we got his thoughts from the races outcome as well. "Man, this is allot of fun. I am having a blast working with Vern and his race team, and I feel I am going to have my best year yet in all of my years of racing being teamed up with Vern and driving his other car. We have been working real hard on the cars and I feel real good about the way the #6 car is handling. I want to thank Vern for giving me the opportunity to drive for him," Smith stated. You were able to advance in the point standings after tonight's race, tell us how you feel about being fifth in points after three events? "Its great, that's what I wanted to do. That was my goal of the night was to crack the top five last night, and I did. The car really worked, and I have something underneath me that I can drive. Although the track was very rough, and a couple of times I thought I was going to flip the car over, but I never lifted and kept that gas pedal to the floor," Smith replied. The McLaughlin Motorsports Outlaw Stock Team will be back in action again on Saturday night, May 31st. Also, the week after on June 8th will be the first Enduro Race of 2008 that Vern and Richie are going to be entered in. So be sure to come on down the New Egypt Speedway and cheer us on as it is you the Fans who we are putting a great show on for. Don't forget to play the Trivia Game for your chance to win 2 FREE tickets to New Egypt Speedway compliments of Bill Miscoski & McLaughlin Motorsports. New Trivia Game started - 5/18/08 5/3/08 The McLaughlin Motorsports Team headed by Vern McLaughlin III arrived at New Egypt Speedway Saturday night for their second Outlaw Stock race of the season. The weather was not cooperating very well as it was a heavy overcast with a light mist filling the air for the entire afternoon and into the night. The team was not even sure if they were going to be able to race as they were scheduled to be the last feature race of the night. Warm-ups came around 6:30 for the Outlaw Stocks and it gave the team a chance to run a few laps to get their cars dialed in for the feature event. Vern McLaughlin III, piloting the Automotive Service Center sponsored #06 Chevy Monte Carlo, is coming off a second place finish from the April 19th race. While Richie Smith, behind the wheel of the McLaughlin Motorsports #6 car looks to improve his performance from the last 18th place finish he received on April 19th. New Egypt Speedway Officials started their handicapping process of lining up the cars for their feature race. So in other words, if you finish up front then next week you start in the back, and vise versa. With that arrangement, Vern McLaughlin III was lined up to start in the 16th position in a field of 18 cars, and Richie Smith was starting in the 6th position. This was going to give Richie a good chance to rebound from the last race and come home with a decent finish, while McLaughlin had his work cut out for him. As we saw at Wall Twsp Speedway, McLaughlin was starting towards the back of the pack just about every week and he powered his way to the front each week as well. That was on the asphalt, but here at New Egypt Speedway its a whole different ball game with the dirt surface. The weather was getting worse and visibility was at its minimum when New Egypt Officials decided to cancel the remaining features races except for the Outlaw Stocks. No matter what the weather was like and no matter what the condition of the track was in, the Outlaw Stocks were called out onto the track immediately which left teams scrambling and rushing to get their cars warmed up, drivers strapped in and head out onto the track. 18 cars started the race, and after just a couple laps Richie Smith, in the Automotive Service Center sponsored #6 car was working his way to the front getting up into the second place position, while McLaughlin was starting to pass cars and coming up from the back of the pack. The field saw their first caution flag when a single car spun around in turn four coming to a stop. At that point, Vern McLaughlin III had his #06 Outlaw Stock up into the 10th position. On the restart, the pack of cars made their way around the half mile dirt oval and going into turn three two cars got sideways and spun out right in front of McLaughlin forcing him to come to a complete stop and just touch the other spun out cars, but did not damage his own car. Having been involved with that caution put McLaughlin back to the rear of the field for the restart. Meanwhile, Smith was wheeling that #6 car so much better than his last time out, and was putting the pressure on the leader looking for a hole to stick his nose in and take over the lead. Vern's teammate held on to the leaders rear bumper real strong, but soon started feeling the pressure himself when the third place car started moving in to try and take over the second position. Heading into turn one, Smith went in a little too hard and washed up the track just enough for the third place car to take over the 3 spot dropping Richie back to third. McLaughlin, again had to restart from the rear and work his way back to the front. Vern's visibility was impaired drastically from the wet mud that was getting thrown up into his face making it very difficult to race and try to pass other cars in front of him. Never the less, McLaughlin charged back up into the top ten on the final lap drag racing to the finish line with one of his good friends in the #45 car, and coming across the finish line in the tenth position. Back up front, Richie Smith held on strong coming across the finish line in the third position giving both McLaughlin Motorsports Outlaw Stocks two top ten finishes. A very big improvement from Smith in the #6 car which should allow him to jump up quite a few spots in the divisional point standings, while Vern McLaughlin III, the 2007 Wall Twsp Speedway Factory Stock Champion, inherited the point lead at New Egypt Speedway. We caught up to the drivers afterwards to get their thought on the outcome of tonight's race. "Man, that was awesome", Richie Smith stated. "Vern and I made some big changes to my car over the past week, and it paid off. The car felt great, and I really feel like I may have been able to put a better move on the leader if I was only able to see better. My helmet shield was covered in mud, which made it very hard for me to see." Are you saying that you would have been capable to take over the lead if you would have been able to see better? "Absolutely; I felt like I had enough horsepower to put it up in there, but my concentration was thrown off a little because I had to keep wiping my face off with my sleeve. Hey, we'll take 3rd over 18th any day. I am so glad I was able to put on such a better performance for my car owner and teammate Vern. He is a great guy to work with and drive for and I believe we are going to be real good at this track. Vern really knows his stuff, and even though we are new to the dirt surface, Vern has been able to acquire allot of information about how to set up a dirt car, and from here we can only get better" Smith replied. McLaughlin, on the other hand, was not as happy with his performance when we asked for his thought on the outcome. "It was terrible", Vern stated You came from the back of the pack twice, and finished in the top ten. What was so terrible about that? "What was terrible was my visibility. I could not see nothing. I started with four tearoffs, and when the first one got covered in mud I went to tear it off and I ripped them all off. I had a rag with me, but every time I wiped my visor it smeared the mud, and the light mist and fog in the air made it so much worse. I even had a pair of safety glasses with me, and raised my helmet visor up under green and put on the safety glasses. Within one lap they were covered in mud" Vern replied. So, if the visibility was not that bad, do you think you would have done better? "Without a doubt. My car is fast, and handled great, I just could not see anything. It was like racing with one eye closed and the other eye three quarters the way shut. I felt it was very dangerous. I could not see what was going on in front of me which made me very nervous to try and pass cars. On the rough dirt surface you can anticipate where a car is going to go, but then that car hits a rut and it throws the car in all kinds of |