FYI:

Brad Sweet qualified Wednesday night in one of Kasey Kahne's cars. He's ranked 53rd out of 107 entries. Levi is 104. Cale Conley is 42nd. Sammy Swindell 71st and, I believe, Steve Kinser is 20th. Stevie Smith leads in points.

Not certain on the status of this, but Brad told me Saturday night he was awaiting word on if Salem would be cancelled. If so, he would run the Nationals. My guess was, and I was told at Knoxville, the reason is the track surface is coming apart -- something I personally observed the last time I was there two years ago. I remember a day about seven years ago when practice was halted because the track was coming up entering turn three.

I love Salem. I saw my first race there. I hope it ain't so.

As of the results put out by Dick Jordan after Tuesday night's race at Oskaloosa, Salem was still on the schedule and there is no mention of any cancellation on Salem's website this morning.

Jim Morrison

I listened to a bit of the hoseheads radio during qualifying and it sounded like Levi was having some sort of motor problem and missed his spot in the qualifying order. They said he would only get one lap at the end. Motor problems and going out when the track was likely much slower probably killed any chances they had.

From what I understand there is some concern from teams and drivers that a hole exists on the racing line at Salem. I also understand from talking to different drivers that Salem is always hard on equipment.

There was some discussion in the pits at Oskaloosa about some teams wanting Salem canceled. One of the teams that tested there broke a rear axle and complained about it, you can imagine that news made it around the pits faster than a lap at Oskie. But...a little bird tells me that one of the the axles in question had signs of fatigue and cracks; these appeared to be present before it failed.

If the track is really bad and unsafe you may see some teams elect to leave. I told my kid - get in, zip it, drive the track and find out for yourself. Find a way to get around the problem. If it's across the track in such a way you can't avoid it and the track is unsafe - get out of the car. Enough said. We shall see tomorrow.

Any imput on this would be great before we make the long drive. I really don't want to witness
another fiasco like the midget week problem from last year.

Just called the track. Race is on...Track said it was only a rumor!