Workin Woody
 

Found on another site. The end of an era.:19: Eric Malies has parked the official push truck of the WoO....Workin Woody. Eric was notified by the WoO officials that they are choosing to go a different direction and chose not to renew his contract for next season:26:. As a result, Eric has decided to stay close to home in Florida and pursue other opportunities. :19:

Re: Workin Woody
 

Oh man, another tradition is over? I swear I must be getting old, because everytime I turn around I am saying I remember when...

I got the opportunity to meet Eric at the Nationals this year and he was cool enough to let me ride shotgun for the C, B, and A-Mains on Thursday night. I felt like a rock star as we cruised around pushing off cars and waving back to the crowd.

Eric was impressive at how quick to move he was, too. We were rolling several times before the yellow light came on. There was even a fire he put out before the safety crew had time to get there. Hard to say how much money he saved that car owner.

There are three things that always assured me I was at the right place: Steve Kinser, Johnny Gibson, and Work 'N Woody. I'm starting to get nervous. Damn, where's my Geritol?!?!

Re: Workin Woody
 

I'll share mine, Joe.

Re: Workin Woody
 

Well first off, Id like to thank Workin Woody, Eric and parents for their years of hard work. They did as much if not more off the track than on. Motor changes ect.

This is in no way a Workin Woody dislike post, However there were a few years I had a problem with the way it was being used. A couple years early nineties, It was the only vehicle allowed on the track during multi car minor accidents. It was also mentioned dozens of times during the event, Never mind the dozen other push truck and wrecker drivers busting their humps.

Yes, i literally saw a three car accident that Workin woody was the vehicle who went out and picked each one off the track, Not because the others wouldn't. Because they wouldn't let them.

Like I said, I have utmost respect for all the hard work and travel they've put into it. The possitives far outweigh the negatives as a fan.
Thank You.
Chuck

Re: Workin Woody
 

Thank you WOODY for your years of service to the sport. There was none better in your capacity.

Eric got parked just like Tony Veneziano the PR guy did.

World Racing Group is shuffling the cards to get another season of life out of it but I'd guess someone else will have the Series in '12.

Maybe they'll merge w USAC
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Workin Woody
 

I got to talk with Eric this year at Haubstadt and found him to be just as nice and friendly as his mom and dad Art and Carol Really good people WoW won"t be the same without Woody :2:

Re: Workin Woody
 

Originally Posted by Joe Whisler:
Oh man, another tradition is over? I swear I must be getting old, because everytime I turn around I am saying I remember when...

I got the opportunity to meet Eric at the Nationals this year and he was cool enough to let me ride shotgun for the C, B, and A-Mains on Thursday night. I felt like a rock star as we cruised around pushing off cars and waving back to the crowd.

Eric was impressive at how quick to move he was, too. We were rolling several times before the yellow light came on. There was even a fire he put out before the safety crew had time to get there. Hard to say how much money he saved that car owner.

There are three things that always assured me I was at the right place: Steve Kinser, Johnny Gibson, and Work 'N Woody. I'm starting to get nervous. Damn, where's my Geritol?!?!

I must be getting old too. I think I used to see Workin Woody at Baylands back in the Day, but can't remember if it was Baylands, San Jose Fairgrounds, all of the above???? :14:

Re: Workin Woody
 

Could they have started at West Capital Raceway 1978, in a regulator jeep around 1980 the custom built, then NARC, Baylands, then off with the WOO MID 1980'S.

Joe

Re: Workin Woody
 

I'll be damned!! Glad I got to meet him and get his picture last February in Las Vegas. Really nice guy! What's WoO gonna do next, make Steve Kinser stay home 'cause he's won too many championships!??:15:

Re: Workin Woody
 

Eric had some sign work done by a local shop up here in Canada, and whenever the Outlaws came up here he always seemed to be a nice guy, had his daughters with him. Life on the road has to be gruelling, and I am sure he will miss it at the same time as he finds something new.

I found this posted on http://jimmyjeep.50megs.com/, which is a pretty neat racing site that really doesn't have a lot to do with actual racing.

A couple more links
http://jimmyjeep.50megs.com/woody.html
http://www.worknwoody.com/Workn-Woody-Bio

Work'n Woody Bio

Built By: Art Malies

Owned & Operated By from 1978 – 2008: Art & Carol Malies

Chassis: 1957 FC150 Willys Jeep Pick-up

Engine: WESMAR Built 368 c.u. Small Block Chevy

Tires: 10.50x31x15 Goodyear Wrangler Mud Terrain

Wing: 4x5 Stainless Steel, built by Taylor Wings

First Race: 1978 Dixon Speedway, Dixon Fairgrounds, Dixon, CA

1979 – 1987: Traveled Northern California supporting the Northern Auto Racing Club. Work 1982 - 1987 Dirt Cup at Skagit Speedway, Skagit, WA.

1988: First year traveling the World of Outlaws Tour as the “Official Push Truck”.

1988 – Present: Has traveled over one million miles supporting the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series as the “Official Push Truck & Safety Vehicle”.

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/1135812674_5ewSM-X3.jpg

Re: Workin Woody
 

So sad to hear this news. As a member of Official Push Trucks in Indiana we have had a great time working with Woody throu the years. Art, Carol and Eric always treated us with respect and always thanked us for our help. Woody will be missed. Thanks again for all the great times.

Re: Workin Woody
 

BOOOOOOOOOOOOO! to the WoO!!!!!!!

Re: Workin Woody
 

Originally Posted by short track scott:
Eric got parked just like Tony Veneziano the PR guy did.

World Racing Group is shuffling the cards to get another season of life out of it but I'd guess someone else will have the Series in '12.

Maybe they'll merge w USAC
Posted via Mobile Device

The Goodyear money will get the sprint series through to 2015. The Hoosier and drivers money will get the LMS through however long they want to fund it.

A few years ago WRG bought a fleet of the old CART safety trucks and told the teams they were planning on having a full-time safety crew with the series. Obviously that was before the economy took a dive and money dried up everywhere. It's possible if money comes along they could be looking at doing that again. Art and Carol retired because the money wasn't what they were looking for 3 years ago. They were great at what they did but overestimated their value to the series and asked for way too much money. My personal opinion is Eric didn't like the travel and the ******** that went on anyway, so he's not going to lose much sleep over this.

Re: Workin Woody
 

Can I ask whats way to much money for being on the road maintaining three pieces of equiptment. hotels and eats for probably 270 days a year. Not to mention hard work sometimes ten or twelve hours a day. Yes they helped teams change motors in hotel parking lots ect.

Re: Workin Woody
 

Dean Mills posted on Facebook that the Woody is working with the series he is working with now.

Re: Workin Woody
 

Originally Posted by terrehautian:
Dean Mills posted on Facebook that the Woody is working with the series he is working with now.

That would be correct
http://www.kingofthewestsprintcarser...nt_Car_Series/

Re: Workin Woody
 

Yep saw the Workin Woody was back in California I believe I read. Remember reading about this vehicle in an old issue of Open Wheel.