Need I say more?
Some light reading
WHITTEMORE SPEEDWAY – August 20, 2011
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SPRINGPORT MOTOR SPEEDWAY – August 13, 2011
RAINED-OUT – David Beatty has a new sponsor, Mother Nature. Scheduled to be out of town and planning to miss the August 13th race at Springport, David would have most likely given up a large points lead over rookie Matt Randall who is in 2nd. Whether or not Randall would have overtaken the lead is not as important as the how much of the gap would have been reduced. Now Beatty is going to have to slip in one of the 3 remaining races to give Randall a chance at catching him.
Skip Krassa also benefited from the rain and will return to the field after missing a week due to a wreck. The car is repaired and ready to go. The car was repaired in the Bishop Performance shop, which is now empty for the first time this year. Bishop Performance rebuilt 5 complete cars in 2011 and did maintenance and set ups on 6 others. It’s been a busy year and we hope to have a little time off to get some work done around the house.
Some racing at Springport in 2010.
WHITTEMORE SPEEDWAY – August 6, 2011
Rack up number 6 for the 16 of David Beatty. Beatty once again set fast time and had a heat win. Bobby Murany from Windpushers was brought in to try and catch the elusive purple car but was only able to hang on the outside for a few laps before David went by and checked out.
McNabb started in the fast heat for the second week in a row. He was able to lead the first lap until a hard charging Matt Randall took over the lead on the backstretch. Beatty and Murany then split McNabb and began to chase down Randall. Randall was running a high line and Beatty ran a low line and passed for the lead. The cars spread out and Beatty wins another.
In heat 2, a pair of Metdepenningens started on the inside row. Dennis and Jeremy were in the Bishop Performance rental cars for the night and qualified 8th and 6th respectively. Nate Randall started on the outside pole and Cole Landau brought up the rear. The high line flew past the inside line on the backstretch and Randall and Landau were in front by the second corner. Landau dropped low and passed for the lead in the next corner. Jeremy Metdepenningen took several looks under Randall for second but was unable to make the pass. Landau took the win easily.
The Australian Pursuit was full of excitement as the group decided to go 3 wide racing several times during the race. Nate Randall passed high to take the initial lead with Jeremy Metdepenningen once again looking low to make a pass. After several laps running side by side, and with one lap to go, Cole Landau slipped by the two and took over the lead. This left only Murany and Beatty one last chance to try to get by Landau. Beatty was to far back and Murany didn’t have enough. Cole Landau took win number 2 for the night.
SPEEDWAY FILLS PITS FOR STOCK CAR SPECIAL
By LJ Trinklein 8/8/11
Bishop Legends ran next with Matt Randall (No.19) and Bobby Murany (No.186) up front. M Randall took the lead with B. Murany, pursuit winner Cole Landau (No.74L) and David Beatty (No.16) in hot pursuit. Top qualifier Beatty passed heat winner Landau on the inside and put the pressure on B. Murany for second. Murany and heat winner Beatty drove underneath Randall and took over the front two spots. Beatty took over the lead and the race was for second place. With five laps to go it was Beatty running away with this one but the yellow would fly before this one was over, for a spin by Landau. It was a green white checkers with Beatty winning his third feature in a row. Randall was second and Murany got third.
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WHITTEMORE SPEEDWAY – July 23, 2011
Race 6 of the Bishop Performance Legends Club race concluded ended the same as the last 4 with David Beatty showing no mercy on the group for his 5th feature win of the season. Setting fast time and leading all laps in the feature, Beatty’s dominance has been unshakable.
Steve McNabb made his first appearance into the first heat after setting a personal best and second fast time of 15.276 seconds in qualifying. Skip Krassa had the best shot to beat Beatty in the first heat after clearing rookie Cole Landau and leading all but the last lap after being nixed at the line by Beatty running the high groove.
Second heat action brought out a few yellows when Chris Metdepenningen and Garry Moorman got together in the first corner after the start. Metdepenningen was able to continue but Moorman sustained some damage that would retire him for the race. At the restart, Metdepenningen would continue leading with Matthew Randall looking high for a way around. Returning rookie Nathan Randall followed closely for several laps but Metdepenningen would take another close finish over Matthew Randall.
A WET START TO AN EXCITING NIGHT OF RACING
By LJ Trinklein 7/25/11
Racing was delayed because of a thunder storm that rolled through early but, the skies cleared and the races went on. All of the nights classes were invited to the front stretch for a meet and greet with the fans. Autographs and small talk over with, the main events began.
First up on tonight’s card were the the Bishop Legends with Cole Landau (No.74L) and David Beatty (No.16) on the front row. Heat winner Beatty grabbed the lead, (after surviving a last lap crash in the heat that sent Skip Krassa (No.9) tumbling over the turn one banking. Krassa was uninjured but his racer was done for the night. Beatty has been the toast of the class the past few visits to the speedway and tonight was no different. Landau tried to challenge early for the lead but had to keep an eye on Matt Randall (No.19) who was on his back bumper after second. Beatty drove away with this one as the race ran unimpeded from green to checkers. Landau held off Randall for the number two spot.
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BISHOP PERFORMANCE LEGENDS CLUB in the BAY CITY TIMES
Published: Friday, July 15, 2011, 9:00 AM
By Erich Doerr | The Bay City Times
WHITTEMORE — Many Whittemore Speedway racefans have probably
wondered what it be like to get out there and actually run on the high-banked asphalt.
Now there may be a way to do just that courtesy of Randy Gallagher and his
Bishop Performance Legends Club. Gallagher’s group provides a chance to rent a
Legends race car and compete for a night. Read more
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WHITTEMORE SPEEDWAY – July 9, 2011
ON THE Brady Bunch it was “Marcia, Marcia, Marcia”. In Bishop Legends, its “David, David, David. His fourth start and his fourth win and fastest qualifying time this year allowed David Beatty to run away with the show and lead all the feature laps.
In heat 1, rookie Matthew Randall and celebrity guest driver/Whittemore Speedway President Andy Hess lead the field to the green. Matthew bolted out in front of Hess and towed Skip Krassa behind him. David Beatty watched things develop from behind the pack. Newcomer Cole Landau qualified for the fast heat but started in the rear of his first ever Legends race to prove his skills. Krassa went by Hess and began to work down low on Randall. Krassa pulled passed Randall and the purple machine of David Beatty followed. Beatty snuck under Krassa and pulled out in front. As Beatty pulled away, Hess began to work the low line under Randall and Krassa to secure second. Randall followed Hess under Krassa and the two ran side by side until Randall locked up the brakes and slid into Krassa for the only caution of the night. All were able to continue and the field finished the way they lined up, Beatty, Hess, Landau, Krassa and Randall.
Heat 2 started with another Moorman front row. Chris Metdepenningen started working the low line right off the bat and slid past Andrew Moorman in turns 3 and 4. Steve McNabb started running the same line under Andrew. McNabb made the move past Andrew at the next corner and began to chase down Metdepenningen. McNabb looked like he was going to make a move on Metdepenningen but pulled off with problems on the white flag lap. Andrew and Garry Moorman finished 2 and 3rd behind Chris Metdepenningen.
Andrew and Garry Moorman lead the pursuit race through the cone to take the green for the fan favorite race. Andrew led lap 1 and directly behind him, Chris Metdepenningen eliminated Garry Moorman on lap 2. Just behind them, Matthew Randall began working the outside of Steve McNabb while Cole Landau worked the bottom groove. Both went by McNabb at the same time and eliminated him. Landau looked like he was going to pass Randall as they began to catch Andrew Moorman and Metdepenningen who were also running side by side. Landau had to slow behind Metdepenningen and Randall moved to the outside of Metdepenningen. Randall ran high and moved past both Metdepenningen and Andrew Moorman on the backstretch. Beatty took this opportunity to sneak past Landau and set his sites on the Randall in the last remaining car. Beatty went low and a sliding Randall was able to hang on for one more lap before David Beatty took win number 2 for the night.
WHITTEMORE SPEEDWAY ENJOYS A WARM SUMMER EVENING
By LJ Trinklein
The crowd was treated to door handle to door handle racing this evening. Legendary drag racer Pete McNicholl of Ram Chargers fame brought the first race out driving a 1955 Plymouth as a pace car. The Bishop Legends rolled out on the track first with Skip Krassa (no.9) and speedway pres. Andy Hess (no.81) on the front row. As the green dropped heat winner David Beatty (no.16) made a move and took the lead before the end of lap one. Hess had second as Karassa fell to third. Beatty started to pull away while Cole Landau (no.74L) and Matt Randall (no.19) chased Hess for second. The race was for second as Beatty drove away with this one. Landau put the pressure on Hess as Krassa came back to challenge Landau, everybody after the same piece of race track. This race ran from green to checkers with no yellows giving the win to Beatty unchallenged. Hess held on for second and Landau was third. Chris Metdepenningen (no.186) picked up a heat win on the evening.
BPLC DRIVER JAY NIEWIEK FINISHES 4th at IRP
At age 6, Jay started racing Bicycle Motocross (BMX) through the National Bicycle League in Michigan. He raced several races across the state for 8 years, including 4 national races in Columbus, Ohio for the National BMX President’s Cup. After that, he started racing go-karts for family friends every Sunday at a nearby Asphalt Go-Kart Club. Most of the other drivers were 3 to 4 times his age, but despite his youth, he never let them easily win.
At the age of 15, his parents Tom and Mary, helped him purchase his first arena racing car to race in the Arena Racing Grand Rapids Platinum Cup Series Season – Pennzoil 10 Minute Oil Change 200. The racing featured half-scale stock cars driving around a portable aluminum track. His rookie season consisted of 10 top ten finishes and 4 wins.
During the summer of 2009, Jay was asked by Randy Gallagher, owner of Bishop Performance, to race for the Bishop Performance Legends Club based out of the Detroit area. While racing for Randy, Jay learned another form of racing and added experience of getting behind the wheel.
In 2010 Jay Niewiek, with Jay Niewiek Motorsports, announced that he would compete with the CRA Super Series in 2010 with the goal of being the 2010 Perfect Circle Racecars Rookie of the Year. Jay Niewiek Motorsports purchased a template late model from the 2002 CRA Super Series Rookie of the Year Andy Ponstein. The Ford bodied car has a Perfect Circle Racecars Chassis with a McGunegill Engine Performance Sealed Motor. With plenty of experience behind him, former ASA legend Bob Senneker and veteran Michigan racer Tom Blouw helped Jay with his first experience in a full-size racecar. The team continues to utilize Bob Senneker’s Bluebird #84 on the car.
In 2011, Jay continues to run in the CRA Super Series. Jay has finished all 4 races he has entered this year and his first top five finish came at IRP on Sunday June 12th and is currently 8th in overall points.
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WHITTEMORE SPEEDWAY – July 2, 2011
David Beatty completes the tri-fecta, double eagle, or a turkey, if you will, by winning his third feature in a row, although not as dominate this week. Skip Krassa, Matthew Randall and Dr. Ron were all within striking distance during most of the race.. Off the pace from the previous race, David once again set fast time. He started 4th in the 1st heat but quickly made his way to the front of the pack over Skip Krassa, Matthew Randall and Dr. Ron Semlow.
It was a Moorman front row in heat 2. Garry Moorman took the jump on the outside of son Andrew, and led down the backstretch. Dr. Kent Semlow took advantage of an opening below Andrew and snuck by in turns 3 and 4 to lead the first lap. Andrew then got up to speed and passed Garry with Jeff Beatty in tow. Beatty looked below Andrew for several laps before getting by, finishing 2nd behind Dr. Kent Semlow.
The pursuit lined up with Andrew Moorman on the pole. Heat 2 winner Dr. Kent made quick work of Andrew, passing him on the outside in the first corners after the green dropped. Matthew Randall followed suit by passing Jeff Beatty in the same corner. Randall went to work on Dr. Kent and made the pass on the backstretch of the next lap. Randall began to stretch out a lead, Dr. Ron Semlow followed in second and David Beatty worked on Skip Krassa in third. Beatty looked high and low before finding an opening in turn 1 under Krassa. Dr. Ron had begun to catch Matthew Randall and tried the low line on the white flag lap. Randall shot off turn 2 like a rocket and left Dr. Ron to deal with David Beatty who was on his outside. Dr. Ron buried the car into turn 3 and caught Randall. Both came off the 4th turn sideways and Randall was able to hang on for the win.
WHITE-MORE SPEEDWAY SAYS “HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNCLE SAM”
By LJ Trinklein 7/4/11
Bishop Legends ran last with Jeff Beatty (No.186) and Matt Randall (No.19) on the front row. Randall squeaked out the early lead with Skip Krassa (No.9) and David Beatty (No.16) giving chase. D.Beatty slid to the inside of Krassa for second and set his sights on Randall. To the inside again and D.Beatty was in the lead with Krassa putting the heat on Randall. D.Beatty, Krassa and Randall ran up front when Dr Kent Semlow (No.5) and Garry Moorman (No.4) got together sending Dr. Kent to the pits with a broken front bumper. The restart found D.Beatty, Krassa, Dr. Ron Semlow (No.911) and Randall on the front rows. Just after the green the G.Moorman and Andrew Moorman (No.74) got together ending the night for both. D.Beatty was not to be denied as he drove off to the win. Krassa took second and Randall was third.
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WHITTEMORE SPEEDWAY – June 18, 2011
It was all David Beatty again when Bishop Legends went to the Whittemore Speedway. The 16 car set fast time and in the first heat, David started last and battled for 2nd with Skip Krassa for several laps before taking the position and a finishing half a car behind winner Dr. Ron Semlow. Chris Metdepenningen and Garry Moorman finished 4th and 5th respectively.
In the second heat, Steve McNabb got a jump on Andrew Moorman followed by Dr. Kent Semlow and Beau Semlow. McNabb pushed high on the track on lap 2 and the Semlow’s passed low followed by Matthew Randall. Randall began to challenge on the high side of Dr. Kent and Beau began looking down low. Dr. Kent held steady to win followed by Beau Semlow, Matthew Randall, Steve McNabb, Andrew Moorman, and Jeff Beatty.
8 cars elected to run the pursuit race. Fast qualifier David Beatty sized the field up from the rear. Andrew Moorman started on the pole but was quickly passed by Steve McNabb in the first corner. Beau Semlow went low coming of turn 2 and went by Dr. Kent Semlow on the backstretch. McNabb pushed high on the next lap, Matthew Randall and Beau Semlow quickly went by. Beau semlow went below Matthew Randall for the lead, meanwhile, David Beatty decided to begin his move towards the front going around Chris Metdepenningen on the outside for his first pass of the race. Caution flew for McNabb as his throttle cable broke trying to exit the track. Beau Semlow, Dr. Ron Semlow and David Beatty were now lined up for the final laps. Beatty made quick work of Dr. Ron on the outside and almost over took Beau going into turn 1. Beau and David ran side by side for 3 laps before David went hard in to turn 1 past Beau for the win.
Recapping the feature race, writer Lenny Trinklein.
A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT FOR RACING A WHITTEMORE SPEEDWAY
by LJ Trinklein 6/20/11
A large turnout of race fans and drivers were on hand for the Speedway’s first Modified Shoe-Tout Spectacular and The Bishop Legends were the first class on the grand old race track this evening. Heat race winner Dr. Kent Semlow (no.5) and Beau Semlow (no.88) brought our first feature to the green. The early lead looked like a Semlow family reunion as Kent, Beau and heat winner Dr. Ron Semlow (no.911) ran one, two, three. Top qualifier David Beatty (no.16) and Matthew Randall (no.19) jumped out of their mid pack starting spots and made a run at the leaders. Dr. Ron began to fade early as pursuit winner D. Beatty and Randall went by bringing Skip Krassa (no.9) along. D. Beatty worked the out side line and took the lead. Randall sat in second K. Semlow slipped to third. D. Beatty drove away with no challenge. B. Semlow worked his way back into second as Randall slipped to third. Half way found D. Beatty had checked out. The battle for second was three way with B. Semlow, Randall and Krassa all trying to fit in the same spot. It was D. Beatty’s night as no one could catch this driver. As they took the checkers it was D. Beatty the winner. B. Semlow second and Randall got third.
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M40 SPEEDWAY – June 11, 2011
It was David Beatty’s night in Bishop Legends at M40 Speedway. He won the pole and was never challenged for the entire race as he left the field fromt he start. This was the second night out for the 16 car but David’s first night out driving it. David’s time spent this winter overhauling the car paid off for his first feature win with Bishop Legends. Skip Krassa passed Matthew Randall for second and then battled with Matthew for the spot the entire race. Krassa came out on top. Randy Gallagher and Steve McNabb followed the second place battle and settled for 4th and 5th respectively.
- BEATTY WINS AT M40
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