Elementary school chum, Mike McCauley of Yorktown, IN, long involved in open wheel racing, also attended the Saturday luncheon and was to bring Nelson Stewart, who was to be another one of the “surprise guests”. The father of Tony Stewart and a racer of sorts himself was also scheduled to drive in a Legends Race at Eldora that night so decided he should concentrate on his race instead. It turns out though that it was not a good night for Nelson. Crew member McCauley writes:

“Thought I’d let you know that Stew took a wild ride at Eldora [Saturday] night in his Legends car. He got pinched into the wall coming down the front stretch and got up in the air (about 10 or 15 feet) did two or three end for ends, and a barrel roll and came to rest near the inside fence in turn 1. It was an horrific accident, but Nelson was able to get out of the car with help. He was checked by the EMT’s in the ambulance and released. He has cuts on each arm and a big bandage on his back (left shoulder area, I think), is quite sore, but otherwise OK. I’ve seen a few bad ones in my day, and this was one of them. Gary Irvin, who was with us, sent Tony a text message so he would be aware and got a response as we were driving home. I told Stew I would text him today to see how he was feeling, but would not bother him with a phone call – probably the best thing to do for the next few days, as many will likely call.

Nelson was riding up high the entire race and was moving toward the front (started 18th and was in 11th or 12th at time of accident, nearly half way through – 8 laps or so), and while passing a car on the outside just beyond the start/finish line, the car moved up and put him in the wall. I’m sure the driver had no idea Stew was on his outside, but Nelson was clearly ahead of the other car (right front caught Stew’s left rear).

The Legend car is history. Beginning in the front, the crash ripped off the bumper, severed the right front wheel, broke all suspension parts in front, and the tach was pegged at 10!!!! (Dont’ know if the engine was overreved when he got off the ground). The cage was bent forward, but held, and the rear axel, brand new rear end, all four tires, drive train, and shell were ruined. The only parts of the car that looked normal were the seat, steering wheel, and pedals.

Jon – thanks for including me in the “Chat with the Racers at Winchester”. Took a few laps around the place in my van, and it was exciting even if only at 65 mph. Please let me know where the meeting is on Nov. 17 and I’ll try to be there (Gary Irvin will likely come with me, too).

Let’s all say a prayer for Nelson, just to be certain he has more than just the racers in his corner this week.”

Mike McCauley

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“National Speed Sport News” reports that. non-winged sprint car racing will return to Anderson Speedway when the USSA Sprint Car Challenge Series kicks off its inaugural season April 14, 2013. The USSA Mel Kenyon Midget Series will join the sprint cars on the high banks of Anderson Speedway. The Glen Niebel Classic Mel Kenyon 100 marks the first event for the championship of the United States Speed Assn’s new series for non-winged pavement sprint cars. The series uses the car rules of the Pay Less Little 500 and features an open-tire manufacturer rule.

The Glen Niebel Classic is the traditional opener for the pavement sprint car racing in the Midwest and honors legendary sprint car mechanic Glen Niebel. For the 2013 Niebel Classic the “King of Midgets” Mel Kenyon will serve as the event’s Grand Marshal.

“The Glen Niebel Classic Mel Kenyon 100 is the perfect opener for our sprint car division, it has the tradition and honors one of the great sprint car mechanics of all time,” said Don Kenyon, president of USSA. Kenyon added, “Having Mel serve as Grand Marshal is just icing on the cake for us.”

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Pamela J. Jenkins

A life well lived was rewarded for Pamela J. Jenkins Thursday afternoon October 25, 2012 when she entered into her eternal life. She passed away at home in Carmel, IN surrounded by her husband, family, friends and her two beloved miniature schnauzers. Pam, 65, was born March 19, 1947 in Richmond, Indiana the second of four children to Robert and Marjorie Benton. Her mom was a registered nurse, her father worked on the Penn Central Railroad but was a part-time midget race car driver.

After graduation from Short High School in Liberty, Indiana, where she and husband Bob met, she began working and did so all of her life in various jobs. From March 1992 to June 2004 she was part owner and CFO of Benefit Systems, Inc, a third party administrator of insurance claims. Upon sale of that business, she became a tax specialist for Prime Pay, a payroll company in northeast Indianapolis.

She and Bob were married in Liberty on June 9, 1968 while he was still attending Indiana University. The couple was childless, so much of Pam’s love went to her two dogs and children within her family and circle of friends.

Pam’s health problems began in 2005 when she was diagnosed with cancer and continued on and off until she lost the brave and stubborn battle against the disease. Pam was active in several charitable groups including the Indiana Children’s Wish Fund, St. Margaret’s Hospital Guild, CARA (Championship Auto Racing Auxiliary), and was always ready to give her time to any group that helped animals.

She is survived by her husband Bob; sister, Barbara of Indianapolis and sister, Sharon of Seminole, FL. Pam was preceded in death by her mother, father and brother, Malcolm. A celebration of her life will be held at the Fountains Banquet Center, 502 East Carmel Drive in Carmel, IN on Tuesday October 30th at 5:30 p.m. Flinn and Maguire Funeral Home in Franklin is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, Pam would like donations be made to the Indiana Children’s Wish Fund, 6435 Castleway West Drive, Indianapolis, IN 42250. Online condolences may be received at: http://www.flinnmaguire.com

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Didja know that more Nascar personnel have been involved at Indianapolis than most folks realize? For instance, Nascar founder Bill France, Sr. served on the pit crew of the car driven by Joel Thorne in the 1938 and 1939 Indianapolis 500’s. Red Byron, the the first official Nascar champion in 1949 practiced but did not qualify for both the 1947 and 1948 Indianapolis 500’s. As well, legendary Nascar driver and celebrated bootlegger Junior Johnson took his rookie test for the 1963 Indianapolis 500, but did not compete, and Curtis Turner failed to qualify for the 1963 race in a car fielded by Smokey Yunick. Better known stories are those of the Wood Brothers, hired to pit the car driven by 1965 Indianapolis 500 winner Jimmy Clark and his teammate Bobby Johns. Three-time Nascar champ Cale Yarborough was a four-time starter in the Indianapolis 500 while Bobby and Donnie Allison each made two starts in the 500. Many of today’s Nascar drivers once competed at Indianapolis including Juan Montoya, Sam Hornish, Danica Patrick, Tony Stewart, John Andretti, and Robby Gordon. Dario Franchitti and Sarah Fisher have also tried it.

Bernard helped bring a new equipment package and new venues to the series, but he was criticized for his handling of the Dan Wheldon tragedy and for a financial deficit increased by the lucrative China race not being held in August — IndyCar got nothing from the $8.75 million agreement — and the signing of several race events to lower sanctioning fees. Television ratings also reached a record low this season, although Bernard inherited the split contract — five races on ABC, the rest on NBC Sports Network — from the George administration.

Voting of the board was not disclosed, but Bernard had at least one member of the 11-member group in his camp — George’s sister, Josie, who helped attract Bernard from the Professional Bull Riders group he organized and led. Bernard could not be reached for comment. He is believed to be in Las Vegas attending PBR’s World Finals.

Tony George didn’t have a vote in Bernard’s removal because he is not a member of the IMS board. He resigned as a member of the Hulman & Co. board — the parent company of the family owned organization — following his removal as IMS CEO in 2009.

How Bernard’s ousting impacts George remains to be seen. George wants to buy IndyCar from the family, but board members have stressed it’s not for sale. Bernard’s removal and George’s interest in purchasing the series are considered separate subjects. Bernard’s era will be remembered for the way he embraced the fans, which included making his e-mail address known [He IS a TNG reader and has responded on three occasions !!] and his regular media briefings, but team owners often questioned his decisions.

Bernard gets credit for getting Pocono (Pa.) Raceway to sign on for the 2013 season – it’s a three-year contract – and for bringing back the Triple Crown of oval races that includes IMS and Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif. He also put renewed emphasis on the Mazda Road to Indy program led by George’s son, Tony Jr. That resulted in Bryan Clauson becoming the first USAC champion to compete in the 500 since Tony Stewart in 1996.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here’s the official Press Release from IMS:

The board of directors of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation convened a special meeting Sunday, Oct. 28 and has announced that Randy Bernard will relinquish his position as CEO of INDYCAR effective immediately. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation President and CEO Jeff Belskus was appointed as interim CEO of INDYCAR.

“We are very grateful for the tireless effort that Randy has invested into learning, understanding and working to grow the IndyCar Series over the last three racing seasons,” Belskus said. “As both Randy and our organization have reflected on the past season and as we look toward the opportunities ahead and how to best take advantage of them, we agreed that the timing was right to pursue separate paths.”

Bernard, who joined INDYCAR in March 2010, said he believed he is leaving INDYCAR in a better position than when he arrived.

“I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with the entire INDYCAR community, its teams, drivers, loyal partners and fans,” Bernard said. “The last three years have produced some exciting, and some difficult, times. But we have created a foundation for INDYCAR that positions it to grow over the next several years, and I am proud of what everyone at INDYCAR has been able to accomplish since I came on board.”

Bernard was also grateful for the support of the Hulman-George family during his tenure.

“I want to thank the Hulman-George family, especially Josie (George), for giving me the opportunity and privilege to work with the organization and to help set a course and direction for INDYCAR,” Bernard said. “With the family’s firm commitment to the betterment of the sport and the dedication of our teams, drivers, partners and fans, INDYCAR is better poised for success than it has been in many years.”

Belskus credited Bernard with successfully navigating INDYCAR through a challenging and important time period that included the development and rollout of the first new chassis rules in nine years and the introduction of a new engine platform and multiple engine manufactures after six years of a single-supplier format.

Belskus added that Bernard would still provide input into the overall operation of INDYCAR through an ongoing advisory capacity with INDYCAR. Bernard said he was looking forward to staying involved.

“I have developed a passion for the sport of INDYCAR, and I look forward to being involved at a strategic level as an advisor to the INDYCAR leadership,” Bernard said. “As INDYCAR fans, we need to unify behind the sport in order to move it to the next level, and I look forward to providing input and being part of that unified voice along the way.”

Belskus, who served as CEO of INDYCAR from July 2009 through February 2010, will continue in his current roles in addition to being named interim CEO of INDYCAR. Belskus said a specific timeline had not been established for announcing a permanent replacement, but added that future INDYCAR leadership structure will be addressed as part of a current strategic planning process that includes assistance from global business management firm The Boston Consulting Group and would incorporate consultation with INDYCAR stakeholders.

“The organization is full of talented professionals, and we will continue to prepare for what will be a very exciting 2013 racing season,” Belskus said. “Once again, INDYCAR is not for sale, and the organization remains completely committed to owning and operating INDYCAR.”

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TNG Commentary: I for one will miss Randy Bernard. His time spent in the racing fraternity was a tough one, for he inherited chaos but he exuded excitement and energy. Even IMS insider Steve Krisiloff once said to me that, “He goes 100 miles an hour all the time and I don’t know when he sleeps.”

In spite of his busy schedule, Randy was so kind as to be a “Race Chaser” luncheon guest at the Brickyard Crossing Flagroom Lounge on March 19, 2011. Even though he knew hundreds of people more important than this writer, he remembered my name some time later when he happened to see me. That’s very impressive.

I also heard that, the morning of last year’s Indianapolis 500 mile race, he roamed through several IMS stands, asking the ticket holders what could be done to improve the month of May. Wow, what a dynamic guy !!

Thank you Randy for all you’ve done. It’s certainly appreciated by all grass roots race fans. I’m sorry that you were caught up in the political machine that seems to be involved here. I’m afraid the job is bigger than any one person, but we all loved you for what you attempted.