It’s time for our weekly Friday morning tour around the racing world. From hot laps to the main event, here’s what’s on our mind this week.
Hot Laps: Vegas Money
With costs estimated at as much as $80 million to plan, build and construct the race track and infrastructure, officials expect the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix to pump more than $1 billion into the Las Vegas economy.
It’s impossible to fathom that type of money involved in a single auto race.
Qualifying: Vegas Delays
Construction of the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit disrupted traffic and daily life in Sin City for months leading up to this weekend’s event. Thus, it may have been fitting that a manhole cover that reached up and bit Carlos Sainz’s Ferrari delayed the first night of practice until 4 a.m. Las Vegas time.
First Heat: A Chance
So many racers have said, “All I need is a chance.”
Josh Williams, a journeyman NASCAR racer for many years, will get that opportunity this season after landing a full-time Xfinity Series drive with Kaulig Racing. It’s always nice to see drivers who work hard with low-funded race teams get a chance with a bigger operation.
Second Heat: Harvick’s House
Some thought Phoenix Raceway was Kevin Harvick’s house.
Now, Ricky Bobby’s house could be called the House of Harvick. Harvick paid $6.75 million to buy the Cornelius, N.C., mansion that was featured in the filming of “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.”
Third Heat: ‘I’m Just Excited To Race’
Kyle Larson, who has repeatedly told anyone who asks that he’s “excited to race,” no matter where that race may come, will be in the field for this weekend’s Hangtown 100 at Calfornia’s Placerville Speedway.
Larson will wheel his own No. 1k midget in the USAC-sanctioned event.
Fourth Heat: Interesting Speakers
The fourth annual Race Industry Week is scheduled Nov. 27-Dec. 1. An eclectic group of speakers are scheduled for the online meetings, including Chip Ganassi, Tony Stewart, Jay Frye, John Doonan, Steve Phelps, John Force, Richard Petty and Bobby Rahal.
Visit epartrade.com to learn more.
Fifth Heat: Kalitta’s Conquest
It’s difficult to find anyone who isn’t happy that Doug Kalitta finally won the NHRA Top Fuel title.
Good things do come to those who wait patiently. And, it’s also very sweet that 85-year-old team owner Connie Kalitta was there to see it.
Dash: On The Move
Longtime All Star Circuit of Champions announcer Blake Anderson is relocating to Washington to work with Rudeen Racing and Skagit Speedway.
B Main: December Showdown
The Dec. 1-2 Open Wheel Showdown, promoted by Davey Hamilton Jr. at The Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, is shaping up to be a wintertime showcase of speed.
A stellar field of winged sprint car drivers will battle for $50,000 to win on the three-eighths-mile oval, while midgets and supermodifieds will share the card. Watch it all on SPEEDSPORT.tv.
Feature: Kenley Dean Squier
Most readers know I learned the racing business from Chris Economaki.
Being his sidekick through the years allowed me to meet a lot of great people. One of those was Kenley Dean Squier. A close friend of Chris’, we bumped into him frequently during our early years on the SPEED SPORT beat.
One special memory came during Economaki’s 80th birthday party, when Chris, Squier and former Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Daytona Int’l Speedway President John Cooper retired to Economaki’s office and shared some scotch and I listened closely to some of the best racing stories ever told.
They’re all gone now, and I feel fortunate to have known them.