Troy's Tidbits - by Troy Hennig
05/16/11 - Chico, CA. ...It was fun updating the Chico wins list today for HammerDownUSA. The last time it had been updated was on 9/7/2009. It's always cool to reflect on the past, even, if it tool place just within the last two years. The first thing that jumps out on the list is Sean Becker. Since September of 2009, Becker has won an INCREDIBLE 10 main events. That is over three-times the amount of any other driver in the same time period. This year alone, he has two Friday night 410 wins and the 360 Civil War victory just last weekend. With all those wins, he now has 35 all-time victory's at his home track. Even as he keeps racking up the wins and continues to climb the charts as one of Chico's all-time greats, his ego and personality remains humbling. Very rarely do you see Sean Becker involved in a wreck on his own doing. Very rarely do you ever hear of Sean Becker trying to spin another car out, confronting drivers on and off the track. It's a rare combination of controlled desire. Obviously, he has a super drive to win. But within himself, he is able to understand the bigger picture. Now, am I saying he doesn't get mad. Nope. Am I saying that he is perfect. Nope. Just giving you an understanding of what I see. I also have a valued friendship with the guy. We have a strong passion for Basketball. We have played REC League basketball together since 2004. Starting off in Oroville and then transferring the love of the game to Chico. That streak could come to an end in 2011 because the Becker's just finished building their dream home in Sacramento. It's another great accomplishment in this time of economic issues.
I felt it was cool to see the Social Networking used this week by Tim Kaeding. Now I write this with no input of what happened at Watsonville the night before with Tim and I think a lapped car. I choose not to comment on something I did not see but I only heard people talking about. But what I can comment on is what I saw at Tulare between Tim and Jonathan Allard. On lap four, Tim slid to the inside of JA for the lead going into turn one. Tim slid up the track and did make contact with JA. Was it intentional? Not from my vantage point. Did it suck for both? Yes. Did it wreck both of their nights? Yes. Jonathan could not make repairs and finished dead last. Tim came back out but could not do anything and finished 2oth. Those two are the leaders of the KWS series. One and two in points. They both are professionals and do this for a living. On Tim's personal Facebook page he wrote " feel that last nite was my fault sorry to ja and sorry to my team and crew for putting us in the back all night." I also have reports from Davy Thomas that Tim went up to Allard after the wreck and apologized right there on the track. Kaeding did something that most drivers don't have the balls to do, admit some sort of fault and just apologize and move on. Simple, issue is resolved and I think that is all a stand up person can do. Kudos to Tim Kaeding.
Speaking of someone with issues, Andy Forsberg just can not stay home on a Saturday night. Once he got word Placerville had canceled, instead of staying home and watching re-runs of his favorite show, American Idol, he got the crew together and loaded his sprint car up and towed to Roseville to race. Whats the big deal? Roseville is an asphalt track. He literally showed up with dirt tires and was going to race the USAC show. At the track he was able to get some hand me downs slicks and save money on what could of been an expensive tire bill. He went on to do quite well in the heat race but ultimately crashed out in the main event. While he is finally getting up there in age, he has not lost the desire to race with any organization at any time. Just this year he has traveled to Arizona to race and all over California. In 2011, he has raced winged, non-wing, dirt, asphalt, Civil War, USAC, ASCS, Chico 410, Marysville 360 and we have not event hit June yet.
How good has it been to see Willie Croft do so well this year running with KWS. With one win already, and the chance of a podium finish this past weekend at Tulare, Croft is emerging as one of the best on the West Coast. Willie has always been able to put a few laps together, especially in qualifying, but was known as someone who at times was unable to string 30 laps together. This year he is doing really great. As of today, he sits fifth in the KWS points. The other thing that I am so excited for is him becoming a father soon. Him and his better half, Samantha Hirst, are expecting a baby boy. Coming from a father of two, it's a very exciting time in their lives.
Speaking of family, I have to go on record and thank my wife Kylie for allowing me to help Chico try and get back to where we need to be and then travel on the weekends with the KWS. It takes a huge amount of effort to coordinate our life as a family now. What days is Kylie working at the hospital, how far am I driving on the weekends. Who's babysitting the girls. Coordinating where and what things I need to do for Silver Dollar Speedway during the week. Asking, "Are you really on the phone again talking about racing?" She also does a great job of explaining why dad sleeps in until noon on Sundays to the kids, even though my youngest does like to come in and tap me on the shoulder and tell me good morning around 7:30 or 8 am. But if you ask her, she'll tell you I sleep in all week. We will always continue to have a running argument on how much of my life is devoted to racing at the track and on off and when am I going to get a real job, Monday through Friday with weekend offs, however, she is still the one thing that centers me and allows me a chance to continue "living the dream" of having some sort of a presence at and around our racing circle. She also makes a lot more money than I do, so I have to thank her when I can so I can get my cell phone bill paid for...lol...
It's been a pleasure to work side-by-side with Dennis Gage this year. He brings a fresh approach and the trust in me to let me go out and do what I think is best for the Speedway. He will and has backed me on any deal I have made this year. Given me the flexibility to try new things, add new sponsors and allow people back to the race track with open arms. He is really about trying to get the promotional side of auto racing back out into the Chico community. It's a tough sell. Small car counts, tough economic times, inflated pricing on everything associated with running the daily routines of promoting a race track. Dennis and I go way back. He first met me when I was just born. He has had a long-time friendship with my parents, both being from Auburn. Dennis' father served me my first "legal" beer at the races during Gold Cup one year. Dennis even turned the announcing reigns over to me when he left the full-time gig in 1998. It's is really special for me to be able to now call him boss and together help keep Chico afloat and maybe build it back into something great in the years to come. It's not going to be easy, the first few weeks have been a struggle at times, but just keep giving him a chance and I think we will all be thankful that he took over when it is all said and done.
Things I am thankful for so far in 2011: Being able to watch Bud Kaeding in a non-wing sprint car at Tulare. Dang he is one hell of a wheel-man. Watching Brad Sweet drive a Nascar Truck this year. He has had some good times and bad but it's nice to see a life-long friend get a chance to make it into Nascar with no family money. Getting to interview Jason York in victory lane at Chico this year. It was his first win in a winged sprint car at his home track since 2005. Seeing Tim Kaeding, Jon Allard, Brent Kaeding, Evan Suggs and all the stars of KWS racing each week has been electrifying. Had an amazing conversation with Brent Kaeding for 30 minutes at Watsonville before the races that night in the pit area. He is really so thoughtful and detailed when talking racing, promoting and the fans. There is no doubt in my mind that if he ever hangs up the racing gloves, he needs to be in charge of leading a series into the future. Andy Gregg and the enthusiasm his crew has brought into the KWS. I love what they do at 7industries. Andy has a strong desire to make these shows more entertaining for fans. He is an asset worth listening too. Gary Thomas deserves all the praise that he usually gets from various message boards. He is KWS - 24/7. No rest for the wicked. If it wasn't for Gary's tremendous passion and work effort, I am not sure that the series could find anyone else to do his job as well as he does it. George has been a big help and wonderful to work with. He has a lot of pressure on him and I don't envy the tasks that he takes on each week with getting everyone up to speed and on board with the KWS team, promoters and drivers..Having spent the whole day with Kyle Hirst last Thursday in Chico. The dude is a real winner and deserves nothing but the best. Kevin and Shelby Sharrah for all their hard work at Chico and car-pooling with me to various KWS events.
Things that I miss so far in 2011: Mark Hall racing at Chico, Stephen Allard racing locally, Sean Becker at all KWS shows, Brett Miller running each week at Chico, car owners Tom Rolfe, Gary Perkins and Scott Chastain, Kyle Larson at all KWS shows, my daughters gymnastics class at 4:30 pm on Fridays.