The NWWC Tour was a huge success with great racing, happy full house crowds, great car counts and weather that couldn't have been better. With nine races run from Iowa to PA back to Kansas, there were eight different winners with only a dive bomb on the last lap of the last race keeping it from being nine. Local participation was better than last year, but still short of the USAC commitment that is desired to make this series even better. The wings came off on the trip for a few locals, and some did exceptionally well, especially that kid from Texas.

The SCRA travelers were more than I expected with 17 trailers and 19 cars on the road. Two other cars from CA came along, with Troy Rutherford and Bud Kaeding joining the fun. J J Yeley and Tony Elliott both made most of the races and added to the show. That was the core of the traveling wingless show that caused fans not used to the back em' in style to be amazed and entertained. You should have heard the comments and exclamations expressed when the SCRA Warriors were on the track. The fans can't forget about the wing aided speed of their own local heroes, but were impressed by the big show that was different. With two and three wide action and many potential winners each race fighting it out, it was appreciated.

No one dominated the tour, yet the Gasman, Richard Griffin, came home leading the NWWC points, and until the last two events in November wrap it up, it is on hold for now. Richard also has a monster 308 point lead in SCRA points, so unless something unexpected happens, the battle will be for 2nd place the rest of the year. Tony Jones, Cory Kruseman, Damion Gardner and Rip Williams are all within 50 points for that battle.

The Texas driver that non-wing fans don't know, Travis Rilat, took advantage of an extremely low line on the Oskaloosa track late in the opening race. He powered under J J Yeley and Damion Gardner to beat those two top non-wing drivers, who were the show until he came by, for the big payoff. Travis remarked, on his way to run the Knoxville Nationals, the $30,000 they won meant they didn't have to worry about how they would do at the highest paying sprint car race in the land, their trip was already a success. Damion Gardner, the SCRA's top finisher, was close to winning the highest paying race in non wing history. The Oval Nationals will match it in November, but still, Damion had his biggest payday ever of $5,000. He was fast and fought off both Kasey Kahne and J J Yeley before the Texas southwind passed him.

The next race was at Fremont, Ohio and this track was exactly what we expected, slick and dusty. Nevertheless, J J Yeley repeated his recent big Buckeye Nationals win, and convincingly on the testy surface. It was a good race, but hard on some of the SCRA regulars who don't do the slick thang' well. The Demon came in 2nd again with the usual charge that has become his trademark, on the gas and never lift, at all costs. The highest finishing wing driver was Rob Chaney who might have been a little wild on the track, as a few early finishers would attest to.

The opener in PA was unique and on the historic grounds of Williams Grove, a track that is long and fast. This time the Demon captured the win, his second in SCRA, and held off Bud Kaeding, who looked sharp after returning from the serious eye injury his crash at Terre Haute gave him. Todd Allen, nephew of former outlaw Bobby Allen, put on a show in his non-wing debut with a 7th. That after getting to 5th and watching Cory Kruseman and Mike Kirby go by him at the end. It was better, but oh those straight-aways were long! Damion was fast and not to be denied this time. J J Yeley was in a position to win , when he retired with bearing failure in his Birdcage.

Lincoln Speedway was a better race, but still a slightly slick track and dusty situation. Everyone reported they could handle it, and there was some great action. Richard Griffin and race long leader, Tony Elliott, used opposite paths to get to the checkered flags. Tony ran the top exclusively all night as the Gasman tried some top, then when he caught up to the leader, went to the bottom. For more than 20 laps they raced to the finish line side by side, it was fun to watch. Richard actually took the lead momentarily on lap 20, but Tony continued to lead from there until the last corner where a lap car got into play. When Tony tried to come down to block Griffin, he couldn't get the bite and went back to the top. This allowed the Gasman to roar by at the line, just a mere wheel ahead! The best of the locals placed 9th.

Grandview greeted the SCRA racers with a rather uneven pit area with a grand scenic view. It is unusual in dirt track racing for the pits to not be fairly level so teams could do their work easily. Still, they put on a good show down on the racetrack. It was hot and dusty, but my "suite seat", courtesy of local fan Dan Slack and Don & Barb Hoff, gave me air-conditioning and a great view above the packed crowd. J J Yeley looked like he had the secret to this track, but Billy Pauch was in the house, and it was his experience that was the difference from his many modified wins here. He overcame the blue rocketship of Yeley's on the "homer"dry slick track, and took his 2nd win against the invaders from the other coast in the three races run here by hugging, what else, but the slick bottom groove.

A trip to Godfrey, Illinois' 67 Speedway was great for Mike Kirby as he led most of the race to capture the $4,000 winners share. The track was the best so far with the water truck working and a rainstorm helping the cause. It took a while to really get it going as the small track caused many shuffles early with the close wheel to wheel action. When it got started, or restarted as the case may be, the Gasman put on a show from the back for the fans while Super K wasn't to be caught. The media event the night before featured many SCRA drivers and a party atmosphere. Joe Dooling's promoting included lots of fans, radio interviews, beer, a Kawasaki dealer presence, beer, rain, a tent with race cars on display, beer and plenty of fun before he took some of our heroes off to East St Louis to educate them. The 29 cent shrimp and 99 cent burger's were awesome!

Lakeside was the plum of the tour and it was even better than last year's race that featured Kruseman's march from the back to 2nd in a different car, after crashing his car on the opening lap. Beginning with Marc Olson's free fan night and the Jerry Weld Memorial invitational won by hard luck racer, Charlie Davis Jr, then the Kaeding/Griffin 20 lap battle on Friday night, up thru the 40 lap Saturday night feature, it was well worth it for the fans that came to see. The feature was up for grabs as several took their shots with Damion Gardner, Cory Kruseman and Bud Kaeding swapping the lead officially eight times, and so many more unofficially I lost count, on a very racy track!

Damion was dominant early, and then Kaeding took over, both running the fast top groove. Then Cory found the sweet spot on the bottom and reeled in Bud to take the lead and make a titanic battle come true. With a lap to go Cory was in position to take his first win of the tour with the faster low groove out of turn two , when Kaeding made the move of the tour by putting a reverse slide job on Cory, coming down the front stretch under the white flag. Although he didn't touch the Kruser, Bud left no room for the SCRA champion when he slid him from his top groove to the bottom, and thus Cory went hard on the binders and ending up backing his mount into the fence, done for the night. Cory climbed out very frustrated and out of the point's lead, and no way to win this one that got away, while Bud deflected one more attempt by Damion on his way to the winner's circle. Damion spun 360 degree's, saved it but dropped back eight places, then spun Bud out after it was over. Heart stopping action as this one wound down made it easily the best race of the tour, but not all were happy.

The trophy for the winner was very unique. In addition to a traditional grand trophy worthy of the big $10,000 win, a chrome pedal car, nicely lettered for the NWWC SCRA winner, went to the Kaeding cache. It was impressive and everyone there looked it over as a real prize to be claimed, but alas only one could go away from there with it, and it was Bud. I really appreciated the thought that promoter Marc Olson put into this one, as it will be remembered as a jewel and a keeper.

Things that stick out to me from the trip are many. J J Yeley's new blue Twister complete with sharks teeth front side panels and the pit crowd it drew upon unloading it was perhaps the most dramatic. Travis Rilat's unexpected wingless success on the "bottom" of the track at Oskaloosa was the biggest surprise. Bud Kaeding's "dive job" in front of Cory Kruseman for the $10,000 win was the most shocking. Joe Dooling's trophy girl "outfits" at 67 Speedway were scanty. Charlie Davis jr's unbelievable bad luck continued. The Elliott/Gasman battle at Lincoln was classic racing. Billy Pauch able to beat father time one more time at Grandview wasn't surprising on that track. The unsupported bowling party, due to time and distance, was disappointing for Jeff Kohler and all his planning. The fact that no body got hurt with all the crashes was marvelous. The Knoxville Hall of Fame still rocks under the guidance of Tom Schmeh. And, drum roll here, the great weather was the greatest as heat moved before we arrived at each stop!

To everyone who helped along the way, my hats off to you. To the many fans who walked up to me and handed me tow money along the way, and all those others who helped me collect the final total of $5550 that went to 17 car owners, a huge thanks. To: the promoter's that assisted me and allowed me to do my thing, Mark Olson for the special ribs, J J Yeley for the ride at 67 Speedway that he figured would alienate me with the SCRA faithful, Ron Shuman for setting this thing up, my wife Terry for allowing me to go and take her camera (that I broke before the last race), and most of all the SCRA racer's who continue to put on the best racing in the land wherever we go! Thanks for letting me be part of it, it was a blast!

This tour was fun, like most others before it, but for the racers it was hard work to keep up, yet most seemed to enjoy it all. Most tracks were not in condition to showcase the SCRA best, but the crowds loved what they saw! We knew what would happen with their track prep guys because they just don't do the wet thing back there by digging up the tracks like we do, with Lakeside an exception. The grandstands were packed with enthusiastic fans, and no one dominated the racing, that was cool. The drop-ins were mostly competitive and gave the crowds someone to cheer for that they knew. It was a good series that will continue to grow. Now, if we can just plan ahead to get more Indiana boys involved for more than just the $30,000 deal if it happens again, it will be even better. For my money we don't need them for a good show, but their presence always enhances the racing.

With a week off, maybe I will take one, but then who knows where I will be. The next SCRA race is at Ventura on August 31st with Perris the next day on a two-race weekend we love. Be there! I guess I was very tired at the end of the tour, and it got lonely out there without my camera lady, but I couldn't miss this maybe last trip to PA. The distance is so great that I know few enjoyed that part of the voyage and therefore we will see if we will go back. Oskaloosa looks good, as does Lakeside, but it's all up to promoter Ron Shuman. I met Shane Carson at Lakeside and he said he might like a return trip to Okie City for our boys, and a race or more in Indiana would be nice, and maybe that big money Ohio race that is rumored will make that all happen. Let's see Santa, how about a week of Indiana Sprint Week, the Oskaloosa 30, the lakeside 10, the Eldora million, and maybe Eagle Raceway thrown in for good measure. Add Haubstadt and wait a minute, three weeks is out of the question, isn't it! What I need now is sleeeeeeeeeep! What, oh yeah, Wagsdash XII is October 26th and I need help!!!!!!!!!!!

NWWC POINTS: 1. Richard Griffin - 504, 2. Damion Gardner - 480, 3. Cory Kruseman - 460, 4. Bud Kaeding - 426, 5. J.J. Yeley - 422, 6. Mike Kirby - 346, 7. Troy Rutherford - 345, 8. Rip Williams - 344, 9. Mike English - 342, 10. Gaunt - 336 .

SCRA Point Standings as of: 08/17/02 1. Richard Griffin 1782, 2. Tony Jones 1474, 3. Cory Kruseman 1459, 4. Damion Gardner 1429, 5. Rip Williams 1412, 6. Mike Kirby 1262, 7. Rickie Gaunt 1253, 8. John Scott 1249, 9. Steve Ostling 1182, 10. Mike English 1137, 11. Bobby Graham 1015, 12. Troy Rutherford 954, 13. Jeremy Sherman 847, 14. Charles Davis, Jr 804, 15. Rodney Argo 666, 16. Bobby Cody 566, 17. J.J. Yeley 565, 18. Mike Spencer 555, 19. Gary W. Howard 547, 20. Levi Jones 518.