Thanks for the kind words. The 1400 mile roadtrip to "The Dirt Track" at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC went off without a hitch. Our group was invited to participate in the Inaugural World Finals for the World of Outlaws on November 1st, 2nd & 3rd. Much of the racing was televised live on DirTVision and the final night was live on Speed.

We were able to send four pushtrucks that many of you would recognize from sprint races at places like: Bloomington Speedway; Vermilion County Speedway; Kamp; Moler; THAT; IRP(ORP); Florence; Paducah; as well as many USAC; MSCS and World of Outlaw races in Indiana/Illinois/Kentucky and Ohio.

The total crew of 11 trucks from Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina and Florida joined Art, Carol & Eric Malies of the "Workin Woody" to help keep the show rolling for live TV.

For those of you who watched the final night live on Speed, you may have noticed all of the pushtrucks tagging the tail of the "four wide" salute at the last minute. Lowe's Motor Speedway said they wanted to recognize the pushtruck crew for the outstanding job they had done for the three day event and hurried us to the tail of the parade lap. They said we had earned a salute from the fans as well. Those feelings were echoed by members of the World of Outlaws staff as they said it was the best pushtruck crew they had ever assembled.

Those who were able to make the trip from our group were:

Steve Moat (Red Blazer) Bloomington, Indiana
Jeff Grace (Blue Blazer) Rising Sun, Indiana
Tim Chambers (Red Jeep) Loveland, OH
Joe Chambers (White Durango) Clinton, Indiana

As I sit here and add up the expenses for the trip like the $340 in fuel bills, the food expenses and so on, I wonder why in the world do we do this. Then I remember the "thank you's", hand shakes, pats on the back, and kind words from drivers, crew members, officials and fans...then it comes back to me... We love sprint car racing! :checkered:

It was pretty cool that Bloomington, Indiana's own, Steve Kinser, was able to win the A-main the final night. Thanks again to all of you for supporting sprint car racing.

Joe Chambers, Co-ordinator
Official Push Trucks

Is Workin' Woody still around?

Woody is in the process of being turned over to the next generation.

Joe, Thanks to all of you for what you do! Sorry you had to spend the weekend hanging around the one from Bloomington:rolling:Thanks to all:thumb:

Yes, "Workin Woody" is still going strong. Art and Carol Malies have been traveling with the Outlaws for many years. Art's son, Eric, who recently retired from the military, has been traveling with them this year in preparation of taking over the "Workin Woody" duties.

On Friday evening, Art told me this was their last season and Saturday night would be their last show. However, following Saturday evenings show as we were wrapping up, they told me they have decided, good or bad, to come back for one more year as Eric's wife has just been deployed to Iraq and they are not sure when she will be getting back.

I'm telling you...this racing thing gets in your blood. Thanks to Art and Carol for all they do and the personal sacrifices they make to help put on safe and efficient shows all season long.:applaud:

Joe

As I have mentioned every time I get a chance, Joe and his group are the best. I've never seen a group work so well together. They compliment any show they are working. A track or organization is very lucky to have them pushing sprints for them.

Joe, tell Moat, Jeff, Tim, Bobby and Darlin' hi and give 'em a big hug for me. :respect:

I notice Bobby and Glenna were not on the trip south. I hope all is well with them. :checkered:

Thanks for the kind words Brian. We sure miss working with you.

Bobby and Glenna (Darlin') have retired and moved to the Tampa Bay area for the winters. Darlin' retired from the bank that is, they are still pushing at East Bay and several other Florida tracks all winter long then they come back to Bloomington around the beginning of summer.

You can catch them pushing with us in the Midwest all summer long.

They left for Florida right after we did the MSCS show at Florence, KY this year. With the high prices of gas, they weren't able to help with the show at Charlotte this fall, but we kept in touch on the cell phone all weekend.

They follow this message board from Florida and will be happy you are thinking of them. Thanks for asking.

Joe

Lets all give a special thanks to the unsung hero's of Sprint Car Racing.
They do it because they love it. For very little money.

Great Job!!!!!!!!!

Doug Vandeventer

I must agree I have got to ride in Steve Moats push truck to fire cars off at THAT and Bloomington and it is a serious rush.... at THAT riding shotgun and cruising around at 50 mph with DD, AJ Anderson, Jon Stanbrough, and numerous others idling by ya and waving to thank ya... theese guys are great!!! It was awesome seeing them on the Parade lap and watching them pack the track while Dave Despain talked. You could see them in the background!! Thanks for all the great work guys and everyone from the fans to the crews appreciate it!!!:checkered:

The last time I saw the giant Payless shopping cart, one of the Rueben Brothers was driving around Anderson Speedway during intermission handing out free "Rueben Burgers" to all the Anderson "rubes".