Canadian Dale Armstrong inducted into Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Class of 2010

DETROIT (Aug. 25, 2010) - Legendary NHRA crew chief and mechanical wizard Dale Armstrong was one of seven icons from the world of motorsports inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America Wednesday evening during the organization's annual induction ceremony at the Fillmore Theatre.

Long recognized as one of the sport's greatest innovators, Armstrong was the first Funny Car crew chief to use wind-tunnel testing and data recorders. He also is credited with the development of the lockup-style clutch, dual-source fuel-delivery system, and dynamometer testing for nitromethane-burning racing engines.

As crew chief for Kenny Bernstein, Armstrong earned five NHRA world championship titles, including four in Funny Car and one in Top Fuel, and helped the team make history by posting the first 300 mph speed in NHRA history. Following his record-breaking run with Bernstein, Armstrong continued his successful career tuning Don "The Snake" Prudhomme's Top Fuel dragster.

Armstrong, who also had an outstanding career as a driver with 12 NHRA national event victories including the prestigious U.S. Nationals, was inducted alongside famed daredevil Joie Chitwood, NASCAR champ Alan Kulwicki, AMA SuperCross champion Jeremy McGrath, television announcer Ken Squier, Trans Am champion Jerry Titus and USAC champ Rich Vogler.

Marty Reid, former NHRA television announcer and current lead for ESPN's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series telecasts as well as the Indy 500, presented Armstrong for induction.

Chip Ganassi served as Honorary Chairman for the evening's ceremonies. President Tom Compton and Senior Vice President of Racing Operations, Graham Light, attended the event on behalf of NHRA.

Armstrong is the 22nd inductee in the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America from the world of NHRA drag racing. Others are Don Garlits (1989); Shirley Muldowney (1990); Don Prudhomme (1991); Connie Kalitta (1992); Wally Parks (1993); Bob Glidden (1994); Keith Black (1995); Bill Jenkins (1996); Art Chrisman (1997); Don Nicholson (1998); C. J. Hart (1999); Danny Ongais (2000); Tom McEwen (2001); Eddie Hill (2002); Ed Donovan (2003); Joe Amato (2004); Tommy Ivo (2005); Chris Karamesines (2006); Ronnie Sox and Buddy Martin (2007); John Force (2008); and Kenny Bernstein (2009).

The Motorsports Museum and Hall of Fame is operated by the Motorsports Museum and Hall of Fame of America Foundation Inc.  Currently housed in the Detroit Science Center in the Motor City's Museum District, the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America features more than 30 racing and high performance vehicles.  The constantly changing collection features racing machines from the world of Indy Cars, Stock Cars, Sports Cars, Can-Am, Trans-Am, Sprint Cars, Powerboats, Truck Racing, Drag Racing, Motorcycles, Air Racing and even Snowmobiles. 

From NHRA

SPEEDWAY 660: Auto Value to Headline 10th Annual Pro Stock 250

FREDERICTON, NB – 2010 marks the 10th anniversary of the prestigious Pro Stock 250 at Speedway 660 and speedway management has announced that Auto Value will be the new title sponsor for this prestigious event.   The Auto Value 250 will run on Sunday Sept 5th, part of SPEEDWEEKEND 2010 at Speedway 660.  The event has grown substantially since its inception in 2001 with a record crowd of 8000 people attending last year’s event and a record 44 cars attempting to qualify for just 26 starting positions. 

“This event is the cornerstone of our year and we believe the partnership with Auto Value is the perfect fit” said co-owner Steve Burns.   Burns went on to say, “Auto Value is a first class organization and we are proud to have their name associated with the big 250.  Any time you see motorsports you automatically think auto parts.”

David Vaughn of Auto Value said “We are very pleased to be a part of this event.  We have seen it grow and we want to be part of the next generation of growth.  Store owners across the province have always been supportive of the sport itself and this is just a natural fit”. 

The news comes just in time with the Auto Value 250 just weeks away and competitors like Johnny Clark, Lonnie Sommerville and Travis Benjamin already committed to competing in this year’s event.  “We are expecting a even more growth this year with the Auto Value 250” said co-owner Chris Johnston.   “This is clearly the right direction and partnership for us going forward.”

Auto Value is no stranger to this event just the same.  In 2009 Auto Value in conjunction with Auto Pride sponsored the car that allowed NASCAR driver Sterling Marlin to compete in last year’s event.   “The guys at Auto Value have been supportive from day one at the Speedway and this is just an extension of that.  We couldn’t be happier” said Steve Burns.   

Auto Value is one of the largest aftermarket auto parts suppliers that prides itself on responding to the individual automotive needs of each customer and providing proven, quality service. They have over 5,200 parts stores and in North America with 31 in Atlantic Canada.

For more information about the Auto Value 250 and SPEEDWEEKEND 2010 logon to www.speedway660.com or contact Angela Coffey at 506-455-3181.

The Auto Value 250: The 2010 Auto Value 250 will take place on Sunday, September 5th, 2010 and will be the highlight of the 9th Annual SPEEDWEEKEND. The event will showcase the Speedway 660 Coastal Blending & Packaging Pro Stocks against the best of the Eastern Canada and New England. The purse for 2010 will be over $70,000 with a guaranteed $15,000 to the event winner and possible winner’s cheque of $28,000. Seven years ago, the late Scott Fraser took home a record $25,400 including lap money. Only ten years old, the event as grown in crowd, atmosphere, and car count every year since its inception. Over 8,000 people attended the 2010 event to break attendance records at Speedway 660.  Forty plus pro stock cars will be attempting to qualify for 28 spots on the starting grid.

SPEEDWEEKEND: Just like the Auto Value 250, SPEEDWEEKEND continues to grow every year. Over 14,000 people attended last year’s four-day stock car fest that includes a corn boil on Friday night, O’Leary Buick GMC Sportsman 150 race on Saturday night, the Auto Value 250 on Sunday, and finishes up with an Enduro 200 on Monday. While the Auto Value 250 is the highlight of the racing event, the weekend has developed into an event on its own with over 650 campers turning Speedway 660 into a small town over the weekend. It has become the destination of choice for the region’s stock car fans.

Speedway 660:
Speedway 660 is WicKID Family Fun!  The 1/3 of a mile high-banked paved oval features three classes of racing on a weekly basis: Coastal Blending & Packaging Pro Stocks, Martin’s Home Heating, and Leisure Family Rv.com Street Stocks. Over 70,000 people are expected to attend over 18 events during the 2010 season. Speedway 660 is located off Highway 7 on Route 660 in Geary, NB, and is within minutes of Saint John and Fredericton. Speedway 660 can be found online at www.speedway660.com.

Library Turns to Public for Funding Ideas

The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh opened its doors 115 years ago. Today—like many libraries around the country—it’s facing a deficit. DUQ’s Larkin Page-Jacobs reports the organization is turning to its patrons to help drum up solutions.

Click here to listen to the story.

Walmart Rips 190 Tons of Deli Meat off Store Shelves

Walmart is recalling potentially hazardous deli meats from its stores after a sample tested positive for Listeria. Health officials have not reported anyone infected by the bacteria as of yet, but they are pulling the meat as a precaution: so that no one gets ill due to the microbes.

The bacteria was found in the Marketside Grab and Go pre-made sandwiches – a common hideout for bacteria to lurk, especially if meat is present.

The delicious varieties of Marketside Grab and Go include: black Forest Ham, Italian Hero, Angus Roast Beef, and Smoke House.

“It is interesting that the bacteria can already thrive inside the pre-made sandwiches even though the expiry date is labelled for August 20th to September 10th,” said a health official while eating a slice of Black Forest Ham. “This stuff is still good for another few weeks.”

The bacteria is harmless to most people, but can cause several symptoms to people with weaker immune systems, such as nausea or high fever. In rare cases it can lead to death.
The recall does not include any of the meats from Walmart’s deli or other meat products.

PA Campaign Finance Bill Sits in Committee

A measure that would limit campaign contributions in Pennsylvania to what one local lawmaker says are “reasonable” levels, has stalled in committee. State Senator Jay Costa of Forest Hills is a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 1269 that imposes limits on what political action committees and individuals can contribute to a candidate. It also caps total contributions that a candidate can accept. The limits are as follows---
 In-kind contributions would be limited to $500 per individual for candidates for the offices of state senator, representative, common pleas court, county or local offices.
 A $2,400 limit would be established for statewide offices and a $5,000 limit would be placed on contributions from a single political action committee, or candidate committee, including contributions from a political party committee to a political action committee.
 Total contributions would be capped at $100,000 from all political party committees for the offices of state senator or representative, local judges, or county and local offices.
 A $250,000 limit would be imposed for statewide offices.
 No individual would be allowed to make contributions exceeding $25,000 within a calendar year, while political action committees would be limited to $100,000 annually.
 No person with a fiduciary contract for services with the General Assembly may engage in campaign finance activity for a candidate of the General Assembly.
 Any business awarded a contract or grants of more than $50,000 from the commonwealth during the preceding two year period shall report by February 15th of each year a list of the contracts, description of services, and an itemized list of all political contributions made by every office, director, associate, partner, limited partner, or owner of the business.
 All candidates must fulfill all their filing and disclosure requirements from prior campaign activity before they can obtain a place on a new ballot.
 Reports by political action committees and candidates shall include the specific occupation of individuals making contributions in excess of $100.
Costa says the bill has bipartisan support and he hopes it will move out of committee and onto the floor by the end of the year.

Baseball Odds Game Preview - Houston Astros vs. Philadelphia Phillies

The betting world could have never predicted what happened in the opening game of this series between the Astros and the Phillies. Ryan Howard was ejected in the 14th inning of a 16 inning game for throwing his bat, and that meant that former Astros pitcher and now Phillies pitcher Roy Oswalt had to play left field. It would be a sequence of events that would cost the Phillies the game, and Philadelphia hopes that Ryan Howard can keep his cool the rest of this series.

In Houston, they are already thinking about NFL betting and NCAA football betting. The Houston Texans of the NFL look like they may challenge for a playoff spot this year and the town is buzzing. Ever since the Astros fell out of the playoff chase and then gave up Oswalt to the Phillies, Houston has not been buzzing too much about the Astros.

It is too bad because the Astros have won six of their last 10 which includes a winning streak that was continued with that long first game of this series. But at 15 and a half games back in the standings, the Astros look to have no chance at the NL Central pennant or the NL Wild Card berth.

Ryan Howard’s temper did not help the Phillies at all. Losing the first game of this series kept the Phillies two and half games away from the NL East leading Atlanta Braves. To top it off, the Braves lost that night which means the Phillies lost a chance to gain one game on them. The loss by the Phillies, coupled with a win by the San Francisco Giants, now puts the Giants and Phillies tied for the NL Wild Card berth. The Phillies have a lot to play for in this series.

When the season started, MLB betting experts had the Phillies and the St. Louis Cardinals meeting in the NLCS. If that is going to happen, the Phillies need to get back to winning and the Cardinals need to stop losing to teams like the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In this game the Phillies are sending Kyle Kendrick to the mound. Kendrick has an 8-6 record and a 4.58 ERA. He has been spectacular at times, and at other times he looks lost on the mound. This season, Kendrick has nine starts where he has allowed five or more earned runs. The Phillies could use a good Kendrick effort in this game.

The Astros will be sending Wandy Rodriguez to the mound for this game. It has been a tough year for Rodriguez as he has pitched well but holds a 9-12 record and a 4.00 ERA. The defense behind him and the run support when he has been on the mound have both been lacking this season. As an example, in his last start he had 10 strikeouts, only allowed two runs and still lost to the Marlins.

The Astros scored four runs in their 16 inning epic win to start this series. If they can continue to do that, then they have a chance at beating the Phillies, The Phillies need to work at keeping the wheels on the track. Howard’s ejection and Oswalt’s terrible pitching since joining the Phillies are contributing to Philadelphia’s drop in the standings.

Pick: Philadelphia Phillies 4-2

MLB Odds for August 26, 2010: Arizona Diamondbacks @ San Diego Padres

The baseball betting world never expected the San Diego Padres to be challenging for the NL West pennant. It was supposed to be the Giants and the Dodgers battling away for the pennant, but things just have a funny way of working out. Now the Padres lead the NL West by five and half games over the Giants and the Dodgers are not even in the picture.

The NFL betting and NCAA football betting will have to wait for a while in Southern California as the Padres are getting geared up for the playoffs. The Padres have won seven of their last 10 which includes a current two-game winning streak. That has helped to put some distance between themselves and the Giants as the Giants have gone .500 in their last 10 games.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are 27 games out of first place in the NL West and planning for the future. With roster experimentation comes losing baseball games, and the Diamondbacks have lost seven of their last 10 games. Arizona has been experimenting with AAA players at almost every position to see who will be part of the line-up next season, and to see which current players need to go.

The Diamondbacks will put Ian Kennedy on the mound for this game in an attempt to evaluate their starting rotation. Kennedy has had a tough season with a 7-9 record and a 4.41 ERA. He is having a difficult time keeping control of his pitches, and he is also showing difficulty in getting his signs in from the catcher.

Padres starting pitcher Kevin Correia has been a surprise to MLB betting experts this season. He has a 10-8 record with a 4.82 ERA. If Correia could get off to better starts in games, he could very well be a 15-game winner each season. It takes Correia an inning or two to get really rolling, and if a team gets to him in the early innings then it can be a short night for the San Diego starter.

The Diamondbacks have fallen below the level of playing for pride this season. They are definitely in a rebuilding phase, and the evaluation of new talent has taken a toll on the team’s record the past few weeks. More than likely, the D-Backs will come out next season with a very different starting pitching rotation as there are few starters on the roster worth keeping.

The Padres want to keep rolling right on into the playoffs. They are taking a look at their entire roster and trying to put together the best possible line-up to challenge in the playoffs. This Padre team has been one of the better teams in recent years, and they could be gearing up for a good playoff run. So, don’t look for many minor leaguers on the field for the Padres. The pedal is down and San Diego is blazing right towards the playoffs.

Pick: San Diego Padres 6-2