I understand the interest in talking about drivers... Yeah... It's always about them drivers.:rolleyes:

I know first hand that some of the drivers out there could not do what they do if it weren't for the guys turning the wrenchs. These guys deserve some attention too.

Who do you think are best guys wrenching today??? You know, the guy that can make a turd go fast :O:

Bill , I appreciate you thinking of all the "unsung heros" as they say ...

I can tell you , there are a hell of a lot of owners & drivers that wouldn't make very many races without these guys that you speak of !

This gives me cause to publically thank again all of my guys who are so appreciated for everything they do !!

Included are :

* Joey Vallone - Crew Chief .... Joey is a IRL Indy Car gear box specialist when not wrenching on the midget.

* Jan Slesinski - Pit Assistant .... Jan is a retired SCCA racer.

* Bill Benefiel - Consultant .... Bill was hired to share 35 years of midget knowledge to our benefit.

* Jimmy Mc Phearson - Mechanic .... Jimmy was the head wrench for our 2 indoor midget entries / Ft. Wayne.

* Charles "Skeet" Bushor - Engine Builder .... accompanied our team to races ; is developing a new Honda midget engine for introduction in '09.

* Martie Gray - Car Owner .... does whatever she chooses !

We were fortunate in putting together such a great group for a first year team ! :respect:


Paul Gray

:greenflag: www.paulgray28.com

:checkered: www.talk2drivers.com

My .02 worth

I think Steve Fox does a real good job ( Stevies maintance is 2nd to none)

Scott Gerkin is a guy that can do it all, that guy has got to be one of the hardest workin guys i know & has a full plate workin on King Kinsers stuff.

Ricky Warner is one of the best to spin a wrench.

DJ Lindsey is another guy that bust his ass on race cars.

Daryl Saucier does a good job ( takin a car to the Knoxville nats & setting the quickest lap of the week stands out)

Paul Hazen comes to mind

Matt Draskovic that works for KKR now is pretty sharp

Kenny Woodruff is a guy i have tons of respect for ( His maintence was top notch)

Galen Fox stands out as one of the all time best to work on race cars. He can do it all !( Galen is another i have tons of respect for. Workin for him was the best....when that QUACK in the engine room wasn't gettin on my nerves LOL)

Steve Brazier is a hard workin Aussie ( I spent a summer with him & He taught me a ton)

I see the list of guys that can do IT ALL getting smaller

bump to the top

Thanks guys those are some pretty interesting names... Anybody else?

Do you think a guy needs to be able to drive a sprinter or midget to be a good wrench???

Who gets excited about qualifying?? me personally... I always loved listening to qualifying rather than watching... Anybody else or am I just weird...

Present-
Jack French
Bubby Jones
Galen Fox & Sons
Clinton Wilson

Past
Glen Neibel

I think being a former driver helps
Frank Kerr comes to mind when it comes to driver / Mechanic. Frank was a better wrench than he was a driver.

Well you are a little weird Bill, but not because of that. :wink: :O:
I too love to see and hear one car at a time qualifying. One of the special events of a racing program to me. Pill draws.....not so much, although watching Cecil sling his #72 pill for a new track record was pretty entertaining. :applaud:

Concerning the mechanics, I'm completely unqualified to discuss this topic but that's never kept me from expressing an opinion before. Soooo, I'll go on record as touting Kevin Besecker as one of the up and coming make 'em go fast wrench handlers. The guy is smart and well liked all through the pits which doesn't hurt a thing when looking for tips from other setup artists. JMO, as always.:checkered:

I'll forget a ton but here goes nothing

ALL TIME? KARL KINSER! Sammy Swindell, Duece Turrill, DIzz Wilson, Ken Woodruff, Steve Smith Sr.

There are litterally to many to name above average wrenches like Bubby ect.

Whoevers wrenching for Shatz right now is awesome as Donnie still doesn't use adjustables, SOmething that UNFORTUNATELY teams think they have to have.

Chuck, who understands why teams have them but like somebody else said it's a Keeping up with the jones' cost rising investment of the sport that isn't really necessary for good racing.

Did I miss something. How about the obvious and corrrect me
if I'm wrong.

1) Keith Kunz,

2) Bob East


3) Scott Benic (?)


Just to name a few.

Sincerely,

Larry "O":thumb