Kokomo Smackdown Thoughts
 

Sitting at home reliving this weekends event at Indiana's baddest bullring. This event is growing to be one of the most prestigious and biggest event for non wing racing all year. The winningest driver in USAC and Kokomo history continues his dominance here at the smackdown and picked up his third title. But it wasn't given to him he had to work for it. Elizabethtown Indiana's own Chase Stockon had a very solid weekend with his worst finish being fourth. Then we had the dark horse of the event, Kyle Cummins. This young man has had a very rough season all year and finally turned it around this weekend. He really was under the radar and if you asked me how I thought he would do I woulda told you he would be a solid top 12 car. I did not expect him to run so well here. He picked up his first ProSource fast time qualifier and picked up a fourth, tenth, and a third through the smackdown. I'm glad to see him and Stockon show up and represent the southern boys who don't get to run Kokomo much. Very very impressive by both drivers. A lot of hard crashes occurred throughout the weekend. Many many torn up cars and parts. I'm just glad to see everybody walk away from them. The extracurricular activities before and after the races were really entertaining. The band after Friday was excellent really enjoyed them and hope to see them back next year. The Kick It foundation kickball game is always a fun time for a great cause. It's great to see so much money raised for it. Also can't forget about the Frolic every night. It's a great great time. I'm also glad to see Robert Bell get some recognition as he won best appearing car and team award from the frolic. And of course leave it to them to come up 5¢ short of 500 lol. Overall this is a great weekend. Really puts up a good fight with sprint week as being one of my favorite weeks of the year. Can't wait to come back next year. Thanks O'conners and USAC for such an amazing event

The Friday band was really good.

Re: Kokomo Smackdown Thoughts
 

The Flying Toasters!! :8::8::8:

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Chase was second-first second in the Smackdown - maybe 4th in the Sprint Week Race Wednesday? Chase is so smooth - being and old-timer Chase and Robert Ballou remind me of Pat O'Connor and Larry Crockett from our area - Pat was Mr Smooth and Crockett was the Bulldog - fun to watch.

Re: Kokomo Smackdown Thoughts
 

Chase is just as awesome off the track as he is on it, kid is one of the good guys in my book


Jerry #66j
stida.com / Halfmoon Resturant & Brewery / Colescotts Mobil - 1

Re: Kokomo Smackdown Thoughts
 

I thought the whole weekend was great. Thank you to everyone involved, the O Connors, USAC, all the drivers and teams. The competition was intense, and was a VERY stout field of cars. You guys are right, the Flying Toasters were very good. Waiting for next year.

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:8:Im still wearing my wrist band:8:

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Best event of the year for me. Larry "crash" Crockett was my 1st HERO. A real hard charger. I have told my grandson about him and thanks for the thoughts of those days you just brought back. Went to the Half Moon for the first time, thinking I would check out the hype. No hype here folks !! One of the best bbq places I have been to and the place was packed with race shirts. Think they benefit from sponsoring a sprint car for sure ! great three days, can't wait until next year. :8:

I stopped Friday at Half moon around 3pm for my ribs lunch. Bartender was talking (in a good way) about how they'd been even busier than normal since Thursdays lunch with all the people in for the race.

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Man what a great 4 days!!! :D: Not sure where to even begin, The races were some of the best I have ever seen so close and intense , wasn't real sure where to look at times. After Darland got the lead I knew he was gone, so enjoyed the battle with the young guns Stockon and Cummin;s, plus watching Short and Ballou come though the field WOW. :9: Also got to met a lot of new people , at last met Racegal, I miss Manzy, Jerry and Josh and Sara Spencer even their dog (OMG is he huge), Don Short. Also got to hang out with the Lawrenceburg group great people good food cold beer, :32: Bert and Bonnie Kearns (god I love them) took me to supper after races each night , listening to their stories and jokes kinda capped off the nights. The last night was blessed with getting to hang with Mrs. G and her cousin Toby (really a great guy ) walked the pits with them getting a IOW shirt signed by almost all the drivers for Bill"s gold scramble. Oh yeah Friday got to work with Mrs. Jon Stanbrough at their tent, what a great boss (had cold beer too) :32: while she got things ready for the auction. What a great job her and Jon do for Kick It! :9: Thanks to everyone who donated !!!! Thanks Kokomo Speedway USAC and everyone there . :8:

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I have got to get out for this race next year!

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Renewing my seats for next year. Nothing else needs to said really does it.

:6:

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Amen to that! :9::8::22:

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Im telling Cottle.

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If any of you are still wondering whether you should attend next year, Stephen comes over from England for the Smackdown. Great guy, looking forward to seeing him again next year.

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oops..... I replied to wrong post

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David like the shirts say" Get your ass to Kokomo" ;)

Gotta get me one of those shirts!

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I goofed up & asked this question to the wrong person.... but you're the English guy
Are you the chap interviewed in Kokomo Tribune? Good interview

Thanks for coming over and enjoying the summer racing events this year. We love talking with with you and wife and can't wait to see you guys next year. Thanks for stopping by for a visit to all the great racing fans and racing teams in the world. You guys are simply the best. Thanks

Re: Kokomo Smackdown Thoughts
 

I thought the King of the Hill races were good again this year. When they announced them a few years ago, I did not expect them to be that good. Also, I didn't understand why Mattox was upset after he and Andretti got together.

I wasn't looking at that incident but fellow onlookers felt that Mattox pinched Andretti into the wall. Maybe he was pissed Andretti didn't lift a bit. I was pulling for the 18 to make the race. He's getting faster, but I hope consistency comes soon. They have tore up some equipment

Re: Kokomo Smackdown Thoughts
 

Had the usual good time at Kokomo with all the trappings, drama, speed, emotion, Half Moon, lack of serious injuries and....pork chop sandwiches.

Look up the word "malapropism" and you'll give the malapropism award to my grandson who thought the announcer was calling Brady Bacon the Nacho Man.

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Brandon Mattox lifted in Turn 2 when Andretti slid up in front of him and expected Andretti to do the same when he got slid. Brandon calmed down pretty quick in the pits but they were fighting for the last transfer spot and $1,000 to start the feature. Far a small team that money can make or break your weekend. Hope Brandon can get the car fixed for TSS Sunday. He's actually a very nice and personable young man.

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The difference is he wasn't even close to being in front of him. He may have missed out on $1000 start money anyway, but he caused 2 cars to get torn up.

Not smart to run to a fellow competitors car and knock him in the head while still in the car after a flip... No matter the money payout. What if serious injury was involved. At least make sure he is able to stand on his own and then take a shot.

Brandon and I spoke in the pits after the incident and everything is smoothed over. We both felt like it was just a racing incident. We raced hard and clean in Thursday nights heat race too. Looking forward to racing with Brandon again in the near future.

Also to clarify, Brandon did not hit me in the head. I believe he just hit the car.

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Mr Andretti, No matter how that incident came down, That post you made is a Class Act Move !! Clarification is sometimes the best and you did just that !! Watching you progress this season has been fun and soon many trophy":22:s will be in your collection !!

That was a very classy move from Mr Andretti. But that doesn't surprise me, given the fact that his dad was always classy, regardless of the situation. Well done Jarett.

This is a great event made better by the fact that there is a good purse and prize money available for the competitors. If you know you are coming next year buy a reserved seat early and get 3 nights with pit pass at GA price.

One thing that has not been mentioned is that the track was different each night. This gave fans a chance to see how drivers and teams adjusted to the conditions. This was not likely done on purpose but did add a bit more flavor. The wet track on night one was probably not enjoyed by many of the drivers and tore up some equipment. However it was interesting to watch the drivers successfully navigate An atypical Kokomo track. For those of you who do not attend Kokomo much, Saturday evening reflected normal track conditions, fast on the cushion up against the wall action. In other words a DD type of track. Already looking forward to next year.