Wow. Huge news.
 

Bloomington Speedway would like to inform its fans and racing community, due to the refusal to resolve a rules infraction during the September 6, 2013 Sprint Car season finale, Jeff Walker, Jeff Walker Racing, his race teams and Chris Windom will be suspended from all racing competition at the Bloomington Speedway during the 2014 racing season.

Anyone shed some light on this? I was in Iowa and missed the finale.

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Holy Cow! What kind of rules infraction can be resolved, after the fact? That would cause the driver to be suspended, too? Looks like somebody really pissed in somebody's Corn Flakes.

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Did he win the race?

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Originally Posted by PIT CART:
Did he win the race?

No Bilbee won, Windom was 3rd

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Mscs race mscs rules

Originally Posted by BIGDOG:
Mscs race mscs rules

Not true, this is incorrect. MSCS I'm quite certain has nothing to do with this. Please don't make statements unless you have facts. In fact their sprint car finale was not even an MSCS race if I recall.

So what was the infraction ??

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It was not an MSCS race. Bloomington's MSCS race was on July 5th.

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I'm sorry if i was wrong. I was going off bloomington speedway results for 9/6/2013, it says midwest sprint series mscs 1-nick bilbee 2-brady short 3-chris windom

Originally Posted by BIGDOG:
I'm sorry if i was wrong. I was going off bloomington speedway results for 9/6/2013, it says midwest sprint series mscs 1-nick bilbee 2-brady short 3-chris windom

Ok well that wasn't the finale and Chris' quote says the penalty was for the finale there is some misinformation in that post either the date is wrong or something - I'm fairly sure that MSCS can't ban someone from a track for an entire year only from their own series.

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WOW, I would call Walker and ask but i'm sure he has had his phone blowing up over this one today. My guess is failed tire inspection after the races they have took tires to check them but that is just a guess.

If I find out I will post it.


Danny 24

I wish folks would not speculate on this stuff. Either you know facts or not no guessing.

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Originally Posted by wtvwrocks:
Ok well that wasn't the finale and Chris' quote says the penalty was for the finale there is some misinformation in that post either the date is wrong or something - I'm fairly sure that MSCS can't ban someone from a track for an entire year only from their own series.

That was the finale but unlike the last couple of years it wasnt MSCS, still a bigger $ show but unsanctioned.

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sounds like a knee jerk reaction to whatever/ the real losers will be the Bloomington fans, who will be deprived of one of the nations top teams next season?

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Originally Posted by johnnythunderhead:
sounds like a knee jerk reaction to whatever/ the real losers will be the Bloomington fans, who will be deprived of one of the nations top teams next season?

maybe their one of the "top teams" because they were doing what got them suspended ? Just saying.

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I don't have any idea what happened, I was there but I don't know what the infraction was so, I cannot comment on that.

However, It's three hours to Bloomington, I've made this trip two or three times a year for the last five years and several times back to the mid 80s.

In my view, Its one and possibly two less reasons to go to Bloomington, I think Justin Grant was also in a Walker Car that night while Elson was awaiting a motor.

Windom supported that track, he was there on nights he didn't even race for the last few years.

Also have no Idea on if either Walker or Windom were out to pursue some championship next year, USAC, MSCS, KISS. It would be a shame to see that ruined due to one track.

Then again, IDK what happened, The penalty might fit the crime?
Hope this gets worked out.
:44:

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Originally Posted by Charles Nungester:
.......
Also have no Idea on if either Walker or Windom were out to pursue some championship next year, USAC, MSCS, KISS. It would be a shame to see that ruined due to one track.......

Interesting comment. It would be interesting to see what would happen if they were to show up at Bloomington for a USAC, MSCS, KISS show. I am not sure that any of the groups would turn away a car that was in good standing with the sanctioning group because of issues with a local track.

Does anyone remember any other cases like this?

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I agree w/ Jonr. I was a race official, only way a driver was banned for a year was fighting, found many illegal cars they were all allowed back:44:. Been to Jeff Walkers shop many times many times, never saw any signs of anything "funny" always friendly to me:32:. So have all his drivers he's had, still enjoy seeing them, Bloomington's loss:11; is Gas City's gain:6:. Confused as can be about this.:43::

That is correct, it is bloomingtons loss. The track gets worse and worse every year. Jeff walker always runs Gas City so it had to be a bigger show or gas city wasn't running. That's the only way I see them going there.

This is huge news? If it was a suspension from multiple tracks or a series like Jason Feger being suspended from all UMP tracks for 3 months, then maybe it's big news. Or if Windom and Walker were regulars there, but they are not. It may be more of an issue if Gas City does not open, which is a definite possibility.

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I have no clue what it's about, and have absolutely nothing against Chris or Jeff, I like em both. BUT I don't see Bloomington doing this without a pretty good reason, and if that's the case, I applaud them for actually having the balls to stand up and make a call/decision and show that there are consequences for breaking the rules.. no matter who you are..

The part that confuses me is that per their own message, BS sited a SPECIFIC DATE for a rules infraction that we know was a local show. I've been all through their website 2013 sprint car rule book and can find very little to warrant such actions. You'll see a list of about 4 approved tires, muffler do's & dont's, both including verbage of a possible event DQ for non compliance. Then a broad stroked motor section stating things like "look like a traditional sprint car", some valve and exhaust info and a warning about traction control but still pretty wide open as tech would go. Not even a c.i. standard.

Count me as one of many fans looking forward to a better explanation of events because I certainly don't see anything from a "rules" standpoint that a single night could justify a whole season ban of a car owner, cars, and that nights driver. It's a shame,really. I remember Bloomington to be a great track and am a fan of Walker and Windom. Both sprint car racing and Indiana lose when this happens.

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Could it have possibly been a tire sample gone bad? That's one scenario.

Hopefully something is said soon

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Bloomington FB page

Chris Windom: To clear any questions for all the fans and sprint car community, the infraction was a "failed" tire test on our RR tire. Some will agree, some will disagree with the penalty. All I know is that I showed up and drove the car that night, the same as I do in all other series. To serve me any sort of penalty, let alone a season ban to the whole team seems more like a personal issue. I enjoy the fans and racing at Bloomington Speedway so hopefully this issue can be resolved in the offseason!

Like I said no reason to ban for a whole year but it's their track

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Wonder what they used for checking tire, I used a Durometer & even then numbers would vary between tires, new tires were softer than used. But even still number varied but were never lower than the new tires. I marked one tire w/ my grease marker, crew man I knew gave me some grief about it & wiped it off:34:. Just harassing me, I went over used about half that grease marker on that tire. The mark went from the rim to the tread & about 6 inches at the top & 4 at the bottom, told him he gave any more guff he was outta here:20:. He ended up getting that marker on his pants & stayed there till he threw them away. LOL:5::5::5:

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I tend to agree somewhat with what Chris Windom said there. Penalizing he team the team is one thing, but I just don't see why they would ban the driver in a situation like this. Unless it's one of those deals where the driver is also the owner/mechanic, too.

Jerry

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So why is Windom even penalized? And a whole season cause he finished third in one race and the RR didn't Kosher?
A few race penalty for Walker Racing maybe. Seems a little harsh.

The penalty for such infraction is even listed

The Hoosier HT2, HTW, DT3 and HARD will be the only tires permitted on the right rear during the racing program. Any solvents or chemicals applied in any way to a tire that alters the original manufacture specifications of hardness of the compound or sidewall construction is prohibited. A durometer will be used in checking the compounds for manufacture specification ranges of hardness. If your tire doesn’t durometer correctly to standard ranges, you may be disqualified and your tire may be confiscated for testing. Tires that appear to be unusual and out of the ordinary will be examined closely.

However they cover themselves with this

The rules outlined may not cover every incident that may occur. In those situations the decisions of the Competition Director and/or Track Officials are final

The sad part to this is for the fans and "any" driver who may have had an opportunity to drive for Jeff Walker at any given point next year at Bloomington Speedway. Walker is one of very few "car owners" left around and even in a smaller pool of owners that are willing to run local shows.
If he truly failed a tire sample test, I would think there could be a smaller first time penaly. I would also wonder how samples are handled and marked to and from a "lab", and if there was any possibility at all for a mistake to be made.
Now for Jeff..... Congratulations on being forced to drive to Gas City, which is closer to home, and cutting your Friday night operating costs racing for the same money. Congratulations on not having to deal with the less.than desirable track prep as far as a car owner would be concerned. You have been forced to not eat up so many tires on Friday night.

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If Walker cheated and got caught then that's just too bad. Personal responsibility with consequences can be a pain sometimes but if it happened that's called life. Windom may be a victim of circumstance with guilt by association and if so that's a kick in the rear but if he knew then that's called consequences as well. Perhaps only "The Shadow" knows.

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I hope this slows down all the other guys soaking tires. I know Jeff is not the only one. Maybe everyone can just run the tires as they are, now!

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Originally Posted by treecitytornado:
I hope this slows down all the other guys soaking tires. I know Jeff is not the only one. Maybe everyone can just run the tires as they are, now!

Wow...... havent you heard of the word allegedly?

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Some of you people on this thread slay me.....you're saying give the team a smaller penalty for cheating? So then it's ok for all the guys to cheat - the first time they get a pass - a slap on the wrist and "don't you do that again"! ....what about the low budget teams that can't afford to soak tires? What about the guys that are actually FOLLOWING the rules?! It ain't as cheap as you think to soak a tire either......

What a bunch of crud - you get caught breaking the rules you pay the penalty! No wonder this country is screwed up! Lets just let all the cheaters slide by in life and yes IF it was for tire doping that's cheating. Let's teach our kids it's ok the first time.....sheesh.....shaking my head at these comments......basically you're saying to everyone "cheaters never win -except in racing" and don't give me the line they been doing if for years it's no excuse.

Oh and I believe USAC already set a precedent this year on this - Kokomo banned KT from night 3 of Smackdown and USAC didn't allow him in so I would say based on that they can't say this team/driver could come in....they've already sided with the track in a previous situation....

I will say that the penalty directed to windom is unnecessarily harsh unless there is evidence he was funding the tire dope or some such.....

Originally Posted by nonwingnit:

Oh and I believe USAC already set a precedent this year on this - Kokomo banned KT from night 3 of Smackdown and USAC didn't allow him in so I would say based on that they can't say this team/driver could come in....they've already sided with the track in a previous situation.....

Please do NOT post about things of which you do not have the facts correct.

Thanks
Kevin Thomas, Sr

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:44:

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As I stated they were just DQ'd in our group, maybe they got tow money I don't know, back in 98 at Gas City 3 cars went home w/o racing. Then during qualifying it seemed I turned every 3rd car back due to the wrong tire. One guy was adamant about racing, said, "Who I appeal to?"
"The Race Director", so I called him over & when the fellow asked,:deadhorse: Director replied, "What did my tech man say?"
"He said no"
"Well then your not racing":39: boy he was mad, but I stood by the rules, I took no joy in DQ'ing someone, but I did get a few b'fast bought for me after the races:6:

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Jason Feger got slammed by the Lucas Oil LM Series for soaking tires and I'd bet he doesn't do it again 'cause he got slammed hard. Rules have got to be enforced or they are meaningless like our nation's border rules. As for Kevin Thomas I heard his problem was with an out of control female county mountie and not with USAC or Kokomo Speedway but that is just what I heard. One must never let the facts get in the way of a good rumour.

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Jason Feger got slammed by the Lucas Oil LM Series for soaking tires



I think you need to check the facts on that statement.

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I was told by a UMP official that Jason Feger was caught with soaked tires and was banned at all UMP tracks for 3 months

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correct, not Lucas Oil.

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They make tire "sniffers" that are capable of detecting ppm concentrations of chemicals used to soften tires. Does anyone know what method of detection Bloomington uses?