Stanbrough puts on a show in Toledo (Sat.)
 

(complete results for all classes are posted on an earlier thread)

“Rumble in the SeaGate Centre,” Toledo, Ohio
Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008

Stanbrough puts on show for Schrader, crowd

By RON WARE
Classic Motorsports

TOLEDO, Ohio -- Jon Stanbrough may have had the best seat in the house Saturday, but Ken Schrader probably got the best view.

Stanbrough put on a show on the final night of the “Rumble in the SeaGate Centre,” slicing and dicing his way through lapped traffic for a convincing victory over Billy Wease and Schrader in the 60-lap midget feature. From his vantage point several car-lengths behind, Schrader could only watch in admiration as his teammate for the weekend deftly showed his skill.

Racing indoors, the longtime NASCAR Sprint Cup driver said, isn’t terribly complicated.

“It’s easy,” Schrader said with a smile. “All you’re doing is turning left.

“But he’s so good in traffic. That’s what it’s all about.”

The 41-year-old Stanbrough has long been regarded as one of the nation’s top non-winged sprint car drivers, as his 15 overall victories in 2008 attest. But now, racing indoors on concrete instead of outdoors on dirt, he’s won twice in three starts for Rick Daugherty’s Peterbilt of Northwest Ohio team.

“I’ve been doing this a long time,” said Stanbrough, from Avon, Ind. “One thing I think I’ve learned is to be patient. Sixty laps is not a long way on this racetrack, but you do have to make it through all of them. Be patient, be smart and try not to make any mistakes.”

A lack of patience -- and a broken radius rod -- doomed Lou Cicconi Jr., who has qualified no worse than second in the three Rumble Series races but has yet to finish better than 10th. Glued to Stanbrough’s tail through the first 43 laps, Cicconi tried to pass high and low but eventually spun in turn two while trying the outside groove.

Stanbrough pulled away from Wease and Schrader, with Tony Elliott and Matt Westfall completing the top five in the 14-car field.

Wease, the winner here on Friday, gave car owner Randy Burrow the series point lead but, like Schrader, had nothing for Stanbrough.

“His car kind of turned better than mine did,” Wease said. “It was kind of a weird racetrack. The grip changed in ways we didn’t expect. We just kind of missed it.”

John Ivy bagged the 40-lap winged outlaw modified midget after Charlie Schultz, the winner on Friday, exited with an engine problem. Brian Sebetto, Devon Dobie, Damen Bock and Dalton Adkins won in karts, while Bryce Dickson, Austin Nemire, Nick Ley and Cooper Clouse took home quarter midget victories.

The Rumble Series wraps up its season Dec. 26-27 with the 11th annual “Rumble in Fort Wayne,” where Tony Stewart will compete both nights with the midgets. Stewart and Wease are the defending champions at the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center.

Schrader, 53, sounded like he’s open to an invitation again next season.

“It’s fun, man,” he said. “It’s good racing. You’re limited with what you can do (as a driver) in December. The Rumble Series does a great job.

“And I really like watching the kids. They’re great to watch.”

As he found out on Saturday, some of those middle-aged guys aren’t too bad to watch, either.

Re: Stanbrough puts on a show in Toledo (Sat.)
 

“It’s easy,” Schrader said with a smile. “All you’re doing is turning left.".

Then, why didn't you win? Isn't that all you do in the "doorslammer" series too, Kenny?
Just turn LEFT!?!
Give JRS the credit he deserves for kicking your ass, Kenny!

Re: Stanbrough puts on a show in Toledo (Sat.)
 

"But he's so good in traffic. That's what it's all about."

Uh, I believe he did there, bud. Why the hard-on for one of racings all-time nice guys?

Re: Stanbrough puts on a show in Toledo (Sat.)
 

SeaGate Centre race spectators evacuated as CO levels rise


Toledo firefighters said they ended the Rumble Racing Series early Saturday night when carbon monoxide levels rose too high inside the SeaGate Convention Centre.

Fire Capt. Bryce Blair said exhaust fumes from the powerful miniature race cars raised the carbon monoxide level to 350 parts per million, and the decision was made to end the last race early, open all of the exterior doors at the downtown hall, and evacuate the 1,500 spectators.

“If we go to someone’s house and they have 10 parts per million, that’s enough to red-flag it,” Captain Blair said. “The cars were putting out a significant amount of exhaust and carbon monoxide. That can cause respiratory problems.”

However, Tony Barhorst, the owner of the race, said the race was nearly done when the firefighters who had been monitoring the event took their action.

“Toledo’s fire marshals [sic] are very strict and to the letter. We didn’t have any complaints,” Mr. Barhorst said.

Mark Smyth, a midget racer mechanic at the event, said “the air wasn’t bad until the very end. When it’s real bad, you can get almost dopey. I’ve been here all day and it wasn’t at that level at all.”

The Rumble Series’ indoor events feature national midget cars, winged modified midgets, go-karts, and quarter midgets. The vehicles burn methanol fuel, Mr. Smyth said.

Re: Stanbrough puts on a show in Toledo (Sat.)
 

Well this is news. The air quality at Toledo, to me, was one of the best indoor venues I've experienced. The air was very good all day, IMO.

Re: Stanbrough puts on a show in Toledo (Sat.)
 

Here is what actually happened. The fire marshall's have always been very active with their meter's at indoor events in Toledo...They were monitoring the air again Saturday...we were fine Friday.

The fire marshalls gave their order just as the white flag waved. Eight seconds later..the race was over...fans left the building happy..and we had NO complaints...no problems.

The article is misleading...by a reporter who came to talk well after it was over...

I have ideas on how to deal with the exhaust however in the future...and...improvements will be made.

The Seagate Centre's exhaust system is not as efficient as Fort Wayne's.

One big change could help...it would be great if all the cars had starters.
A couple of our push trucks were putting out quite a bit of exhaust.

NOT ONE OUR DRIVERS HAD A PROBLEM, THEIR REFLEXES WERE TOP NOTCH IN A WILD NIGHT OF RACING.

This is a big over reaction. That being said..improvements will be made.

I rented 7 large fans to put under the doors...and the quality was great all day..except at the end....where it did pick up.

I walked...with and watched the meters all day. One they gave the order..it went out over the scanner...alerting a sleepy news room to a story that can fill space.

Re: Stanbrough puts on a show in Toledo (Sat.)
 

How does it feel to be painted in an unfair and negative light?

Karma, if you ask me.

Re: Stanbrough puts on a show in Toledo (Sat.)
 

Hey another stone thrown from nameless online chicken

Re: Stanbrough puts on a show in Toledo (Sat.)
 

We had great TV coverage all weekend in Toledo...with many interviews on multiple stations..the most TV coverage ever during our events. That includes my RCA Dome Races. They were there...and not one TV reporter had a problem.

The City Of Indianapolis NEVER sent in a squad of Fire Marshall meters to any of Ted Hollingsworth or my events at the Dome....Cities are different..and this is one that has NO indoor race history..other than my race in 1999....AND THEY WERE THE SAME WAY THEN!

You have to take the bad with the good. That being said...Have A Merry Christmas.

Re: Stanbrough puts on a show in Toledo (Sat.)
 

For those that did not attend the Toledo event, it's worth noting that the city was hit with a major storm Friday morning that closed all the skools and caused majors problems throughout the area. A promoter's nightmare. There was ice everywhere, vehicles covered with ice, major snow and slush. On the other hand the Toledo Seagate Center was a pleasant surprise and a very nice facility. A beautiful lobby, a relaxing food venue area, a local radio station broadcasting live, concessions, a special Rumble Newspaper for fans to read, entertainment etc etc. The track was good sized and very comfortable and ample seating for the spectators. This is one of the few indoor events where the specatators can see the pits, race track and almost everything going on that has anything to do with racing, all visable from the spectator seating. Once again Tony Barhorst has proven that he is one of the premiere promoters in the country.

Re: Stanbrough puts on a show in Toledo (Sat.)
 

Karma, you are an idiot. If the final caution had not come out everything would have been fine. The air leves did not get bad until the very end. I really aplaud the Rumble staff. There was not a single problem with air quality until the very end. Ok lets see here about the evacuation, ice comeing, race over, fans getting on the road asap. Sure didn't see the Toledo fire dept, escorting anyone out. I think the bigger story of the night was great racing action and not a usac official in sight!

Re: Stanbrough puts on a show in Toledo (Sat.)
 

Must also say, with the weather and time of the year, there was a pretty decent crowd. i'm sure some will look down on this show because it did not have a huge car count, but it ended up being a very good show because the drivers were there to race! So many shows you get maybe 4 or 5 drivers running hard lap after lap with the rest of the field riding around. These guys were running hard for every position. Several young faces out there running hard. Much less ruff driveing than we are used to, makeing the show very good. I can not wait for Ft. wayne. Let me fill you in on what should be a heck of a battel. In the 600's normally Mr. Ivy in the 02 is dominate, but he will be the first to tell you he got lucky Saturday. 3 cars broke to give him the win. This sets up a very good battel going into next week. Cars to look out for Ivy 02, 711, 72 Rudoff, 2 Morgan, 75. next week should be the strongest 600 field we have seen at ft. wayne. It will be very interesting in the national midgest with the new munchikins out there. Several veterans looked like young kids again when gaining that confidence back as they strap into the new machines. Ft. Wayne is going to be exciteing!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Stanbrough puts on a show in Toledo (Sat.)
 

I don't think the starter thing will happen - been there, done that. But here's a suggestion (?) ...get push trucks that are flex fuel vehichles. Since they can run on 85% ethanol, it may help some. If that's the case already, then never mind.

Just a dumb idea from a dumb native Buckeye.

Re: Stanbrough puts on a show in Toledo (Sat.)
 

Seadog,

Buckeyes tend to think "outside the box" for new ideas. Your suggestion is just what I have in mind....The ATV thing..won't fly....

I just spoke with a hotel manager..the fire marshall in Toledo is extremely active. They do inspections all the time with businesses...and they charge the business to do it.In fact..I was ordered to have the fire marshall there...they had 4 firemen with meters...I had to pay them $1250 just to have them all over me all weekend.

Like I said..In Columbus, Indy at the Dome...we get inspected...but not to that extent. These cars burn alcohol..and Monster Truck shows...Motorcycle events do the same...methanol fumes do not cause problems like gasoline does...but they don't get that here.

The air quality WAS great all day...but when we ran our features last night..the intensity did shoot up.

Keep in mind...at our events...I allow fans to come and go as they please...So...you can get out if you want...and enjoy Michigan Intl. Speedways booth...Hooters....

One new item we had last year...Gemcar.com electric cars will have a display...I need to get him to push...we may have a test.

Re: Stanbrough puts on a show in Toledo (Sat.)
 

look at it thins way, atleast people can not fault you for safety with them there :) Ya eyes started watering the last few laps, but for the small building I was really surprised. 2 thumbs up on keeping the show moveing. Started at 7 was out of the parking garage at 10.seen some very good racing, and got a good jump on the road before it started freezing. You deffinatly did a better job than the Ohio State dept. Was deffinatly a slippery drive.

would love to find a youtube video of the last gocart feature. The last lap turn 4 pass was awsome.

Re: Stanbrough puts on a show in Toledo (Sat.)
 

Don Moore did a nice job earlier in this thread pointing out what a nice venue the SeaGate Centre proved to be. He deserves some credit, too, for helping to make the experience unique for fans.

He lined up local high school choirs (Toledo Bowsher on Friday and Maumee on Saturday) to sing the national anthem, and Maumee also performed several holiday songs. From what I could tell, few, if any, of these kids had ever been to a race -- certainly not an indoor one.

For those who don't know, Don is a composer and music publisher who has received numerous honors in the music industry. He also is owner of the No. 10 midget driven by Geoff Kaiser in the Rumble Series.

For those of you on IOW who do not know him personally, you should introduce yourself sometime. He is a very interesting guy who loves to talk racing and meet fans. The same goes for Geoff Kaiser.