Somebody did not heed the clearly posted warning!
They turned 28 in August. Appears Angela will drive and Amber spot at Chicago in the TriStar car owned by one time Derrike Cope west coast crew chief Dave Fuge and one time Derrike Cope Cup Engine builder Mark Smith.
Warning ladies.... cheesecake ahead...
Never in my wildest dreams did I expect the 2011 Pulitzer Prize winning Chicago Sun-Times to have such an "interesting" stock car racing feature, with a big pictorial spread and everything leading into the Chicagoland race weekend, what with the Bears on tv and so many other things happening in the Chicago sports world. But I have underestimated how willing the media in the home of Al Capone and Joliet Jake is to provide its readership with the latest NASCAR news of importance.
And they didn't pick any of the "Chase 12" to feature, either. Nope, we don't get to see Jeff Gordon's legs or Jimmie Johnson's chest or anything like that. Thanks to a greatPR coup, we get to see this trend setting, highly respected, read around the world publication do a big puff piece on 1990 Daytona 500 winner Derrike Cope's twin nieces.The picture spread is better than anything you ever saw in Racing Pictorial . Bet Uncle Derrike has his hands full as chaperone. I know you are awaiting Amber and Angela - the Cope Twins' thoughts on racing, racing movies (Legend) and their picture spread, which I'll save to last so you can get the serious reading out of the way first. I will anxiously await Legend's take on the Racing Movie Review portion of the article! One of the " Rules of Engagement" for reading this article from today's Chicago Sun-Times is that YOU MUST NOT SCROLL DOWN TO THE PICTURES OF THE TWINS IN BIKINIS BEFORE READING THE ARTICLE . Enjoy.
Hot Corner: Twins Angela and Amber Cope talk racing
BY DAN CAHILL dcahill@suntimes.com September 14, 2011 10:10PM
Twins Angela and Amber Cope, bring their driving skills to Chicagoland Speedway this weekend, vying for a spot in the Nationwide Series Dollar General 300 at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. If the speedy blondes qualify, theyll be racing alongside their uncle and Daytona 500 champion Derrike Cope. Practice and qualifying are Friday at the Speedway, culminating with the Sprint Cup Series Geico 400 at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Dan Cahill caught up with the Cope sisters which isnt easy:
DC: Whos the better driver?
Angela: It depends, I am the one that always wins so I am not sure how to answer.
Amber: I am confused. Every time I ever checked, I am the one that always got the W.
DC: Ever drive those Barbie Jeeps, or was it straight to go-karts?
Angela: I drove that Barbie Jeep, and we had to drive it like Fred Flintstones [car] because our high heels kept getting caught in the side wall cracks.
Amber: You know, I had a [Scooby Doo] Dream Machine so I kept on trading paint with that pink car.
DC: Car of choice on the road?
Angela: Anything with a top that goes down.
Amber: Big rims, horsepower, and maybe a Hemisomething that announces my presence with authority.
DC: Cars or Talledega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby?
Angela: I dont know about those two movies, but the scene where Cole Trickle is putting the Sweet-N-Low on Nicole Kidmans belly in Days of Thunder made me want to put Kyle Busch into the wall.
Amber: Screw those two movies. Herbie, Fully Loaded has my pick.
DC: Ever have another driver try to pick you up during a yellow flag?
Angela: If the middle finger counts.
Amber: I dont know that any of them can see over their steering wheel.
DC: Seriously, why cant female NASCAR drivers be better than male counterparts?
Angela: Amber and I have been kicking these little boys booties our whole careers. We just got up to NASCAR. I am sure they cry in their 20s as well.
Amber: Last time I checked my last race, there was a bunch of boys behind me.
DC: And, finally, the question every guy in every bar wants to ask you: 10-and-2 or 9-and-3?
Amber and Angela: 12 and 6one in the jaw, and one in the junk.
BELOW: Picture Spread from the Chicago Sun-Times of Amber & Angela Cope just as it appeared in the Sept. 15, 2011 edition (wonder if Danica will sue for equal time?) Gives a new meaning to " Getting in their Head !"
Thanks again, Ray. I knew that color scheme in the wreck photo looked real familiar. Lennie's old 1Va Late Model Sportsman was probably the sharpest looking car at Southside back in the day. Of course, they carried the color scheme over to Lennie's Rookie of the Year Winston Cup effort in 1973 in the #54 Cup car.
Note the Retro Lennie Pond 60s-70s Lookalike Paint Scheme on Upended Late Model
WILD SOUTHSIDE FINISH ON JUNIE DONLAVEY TRIBUTE NIGHT
MIDLOTHIAN, Va. The biggest race of the season had one of the wildest finishes ever at Southside Speedway on Friday night. On a night that paid tribute to NASCAR legend, Junie Donlavey , Timmy Langford drove his #39 Chevrolet to the high side of two wrecking cars to pickup his second career win and his first since June 2004. Langford had luck on his side from the start as fastest qualifier, Billy Morris, drew a six on the redraw and put Langford on the pole to start the 150 lap race.
The cone restarts and several lead changes throughout the night lead to the wild finish. Early in the race, Eddie Johnson, Chris Dodson, Jeff Oakley, Nick Smith, Chris Johnson and Billy Morris traded positions back and forth numerous times before the final few laps started to unfold. Rookie, Andrew Dean spun in turn 2 on lap 146 to bring out the caution and put the race into overtime. Eddie Johnson led Chris Dodson, Lin ONeill, Timmy Langford and Jeff Oakley. On the cone restart, Johnson appeared to spin the tires and he and Dodson got together as they crossed the start / finish line. Johnson spun and Dodson was black flagged for debris hanging off his car. That put ONeill on the point for the final green / white / checkered. On the final lap, Chris Johnson spun in turn 1 as Lin ONeill led the field off of turn 2. Points leader, Jeff Oakley made a bonsai run under ONeill going into turn 3. As the two cars washed up the track, Lin ONeill tried to turn back under Oakley. Coming off of turn 4 Oakleys car broke loose and came across in front of ONeills familiar number 1. The two cars collided and ONeills car climbed on top of the left front fender of Oakleys car as they spun toward the finish line. With just feet to go, Timmy Langford drove by on the top side to pick up the win. After reviewing the tape for the finish, the official finish order included Timmy Langford first, Raymond Pittman second, the sliding cars of Jeff Oakley and Lin ONeill third and fourth respectively and Billy Morris rounded out the top 5.
Mike Chapman continued his winning ways in the 25 lap U-Car race by picking up his third win of the season. He drove his orange number 87 to the win ahead of Frank Silva, Jamie Hite, Tyler Davis and Jason Marshall.
Stanley Holmes lead the Champ Karts across the finish line, but Jason Higginbotham was credited with the win as Holmes kart was disqualified for failing post race inspection. David Emory came home second, Justin Emory third, Buzz Moore fourth and Trey Williams finished fifth.
Next Friday night, September 23, 2011, Southside Speedway will crown 3 champions on the last Friday night race of the season. The races, originally scheduled for Sunday, September 25, 2011, will be the final races of the year for the Late Models, Modifieds and Grand Stocks. Along with the trophy presentations for those divisions, the Street Stocks, Champ Karts, Legends and U-Cars will all be on hand. Back Gates will open at 3:00pm, Front Gates open at 6:00pm, Qualifying at 6:30pm and racing gets underway at 7:30pm. Go to www.southsidespeedway.com for more information.
Ray,
Thanks so much for posting the photos of Junie and Ronnie Elder and Lennie. That 1VA car could flat get around Southside. So good to see Junie & Lennie. Been a long time.
Ray,
If you get a chance, let us know how it turns out. Hope the weather is good tonight.
Here's wishing Junie a wonderful evening on Friday night at Southside Speedway. Wish I could be there at the place where Sonny Hutchins scored so many memorable wins in the Donlavey #90 Ford Modified.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Southside Speedway - The Toughest Short Track in the South!
September 14, 2011
Attn: Sports Department
From: Chris Stefi
Competition & Marketing Director
(804) 640-6332
racesouthside@yahoo.com
Subject: Friday Nights, September 16, 2011 Races
Friday Nights Race to Salute NASCAR
Legend, Junie Donlavey
MIDLOTHIAN, Va . Thanks to the rain last Thursday night, Southside Speedway will end Race Week in Richmond instead of kicking it off. The Speedway will make-up last Thursday nights show on Friday, September 16, 2011 with a big night of racing to salute NASCAR Legend, Junie Donlavey . A 150 lap Late Model race, the biggest race of the season, will highlight the night of racing at The Toughest Short Track in the South! The largest Late Model car count of the season is anticipated. The U-Car division will also be on hand for a 25 lap feature, the Champ Karts will battle for 20 laps and there will also be a Driver Meet & Greet, where the fans can come on to the track before the races and see the stars and cars up close.
The big star of the night will be Richmonds own, Junie Donlavey. Donlavey, who based his familiar #90 Sprint Cup Series team in Richmond for nearly six decades, had over 60 different drivers pilot his cars. The star-studded list included everybody from David Pearson, Harry Gant, Benny Parsons, Jody Ridley, Dick Brooks and Kenny Schrader, to Virginia drivers Ricky Rudd, Bill Dennis, Lennie Pond, Rick Mast and Hermie Sadler. A special pre-race salute to Mr. Donlavey , hosted by Joe Kelly is planned for the night.
Pit gates will open at 3:00 p.m.; front gates open at 6:00 pm; Qualifying will get underway at 6:15 pm, the Driver Meet & Greet will begin at 7:00 pm and the first race will get the green flag at 8:00. Ticket prices are $12 for adults; seniors and military are $10; kids 6 - 12 years of age are $6; and kids 5 and under get in for free. For more information, log on to www.southsidespeedway.com .
Southside Speedway is a 1/3 mile, paved oval located on Genito Road in Midlothian, VA. The speedway was established in 1959 by J.M. Wilkinson and is currently run by his daughter, Sue W. Clements. The speedway features 8 divisions including Late Models, Modifieds, Grand Stocks, Street Stocks, U-Cars, Champ Karts, Legends and Pro-6. In 2011 the speedway will host 10 nights / afternoons of racing from June 17, 2011 through October 16, 2011.
12800 Genito Road Midlothian, VA 23112
www.southsidespeedway.com
Ah.... astronomy....
Perhaps dear Danica is not up on the subject....
As ole Cassius once spake, "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings."
(with thanks to Wm. Shakespeare and his play, Julius Caesar)
As posted by Al Pearce in AutoWeek. Al is a former award winning motorsports writer for the Newport News Daily Press.
NASCAR: Danica Patrick confused, needs to call Mike Helton
Danica Patrick has yet to set her 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup schedule.
By: Al Pearce on 9/14/2011
Danica Patrick will run next year's full NASCAR Nationwide Series schedule with JR Motorsports, plus eight to 12 Sprint Cup Series races with Stewart-Haas Racing. But she says she won't finalize her Cup schedule until NASCAR announces the full 2012 calendar--peculiar, since virtually everyone in the garage already has a copy.
"[My sponsor] GoDaddy's input is important [in terms of which Cup races I'll run] and they'll play a part," Patrick said last weekend at Richmond International Raceway. "But they're also respectful enough to understand that I'm the driver and the team owners are drivers. They realize that taking the advice of those around me who've been in the sport a long time is the smart thing to do. [My sponsors] don't stand in the way."
As for waiting for NASCAR to officially release its 2012 Cup Series schedule, she can easily call the organization's Daytona Beach, Fla., offices and ask for NASCAR president Mike Helton. He'll gladly take the call and will be delighted to fax or e-mail her a copy.
Heck, for Patrick, he might even hand-deliver it.
Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110914/NASCAR/110919928#ixzz1Xzb15He0
