Cliff Tanner
Owner & Host
Radio Speed Talk
Cliff Dawg Media
A Day at the Races aka
The Life and Times of Kenny Barr
No I am not talking about the Marx Brothers movie.
A wild night at Anderson Speedway turned to a trip to the hauler for our won Kenny Barr. For those of you who may not know not only is he cohost of Speed Talk but he is the announcer for a traveling series called the Top Speed Modified Series.
With the Top Speed boys making their first appearance at Anderson in a few years it turned into a night to remember for the brave race fans. The weather was already at 40 degree but with the wind it was a lot colder.
Scott Coe and ‘Flying’ Brian Nester was the class of the field. Coe lead took the lead early and was immediately followed by Nester. Both drivers lapped the entire field on the final lap turned out to be the most exciting of the night.
For two laps prior Nester continued to be on the bumper of Coe trying to loosen him up to take the lead. Coe the experienced driver he is kept Nester at bay until the final turns. In the back stretch Nester bumped Coe and got him loose but Coe did a great job of staying in front until turn three.
Coe spent turns three and the middle of four until he lost control and collected four cars including third place racer Jerry Hammond. Nester cruised to the finish line after coming out of his spin in the altercation under caution.
There was some confusion for a few minutes as to what the finishing order would be. After unfolding it Nester won. Chris Jennings got his lap back under the caution to finish second followed by Coe, Chris Jennings and Mark Bott. Hammond on his way to his best career finish in the Top Speed Modified Series to a ninth place finish.
Well as Nester was taking pictures and collecting his trophy while enjoying the minute got a visit. As he was talking to the announcer about his win Coe came from his car in turn three and proceeded to give Coe a piece of his mind. Coe apparently believed that he was wrecked on purpose. As for the fans I believe they may have sided with Coe.
I don’t know about you but I don’t believe it was a discussion over where they would meet for drinks later. No fist flew but it came pretty close. Coe was very upset because it destroyed his car.
During the interview Nester admitted that he got into Coe but backed off. Coe I don’t think believed him.
Well as Kenny and I walked into the pits we ran into a track official who will remain nameless. We told him what had happened about a close fist fight. He smiled and said that is the way it should be. Do it on the rack and not in the pits. Let the fans see it.
Well you would think it would end there. Oh no. As we walked a little further into the pits Kenny was called into the little white hauler. Now we always hear about the Big Red trailer in NASCAR. But with the Top Speed Modifieds it is the little white hauler. Well I walked over with Kenny and stood outside.
As I stood there Nester was called the hauler. As soon as Nester entered everyone was evicted from the trailer except for Kenny, Coe and Nester as well as the series brass. Well I have to tell you this was an experience for me. However our very own Kenny Barr got to stay inside the entire meeting. I assume there was a reason. Yes I know Kenny can’t tell us what happened in there but hell with it was cool a member of Speed Talk got to be part of it.
Congrats Kenny for being where you were. I am proud to call you a Speed Talk brother. Now I just need to see what bribe you would take to tell me what happened. Just kidding Kenny, Congrats.
With all of that there were two other series that ran on the night. The MEP Late Model Series was just as exciting although there was no meeting at the start finish line.
Danny Trent won his 81st career race in the MEP Series. Trent was running in third place for the first half of the race.
Heath Sterkowitz was holding off Josh Cave for the better part of the race. Cove continued to tap his bumper to try and loosen up Sterkowitz. They eventually spun and the caution came out. With the altercation both Sterkowitz and Cove had to start in the back.
Trent took the lead after the caution and checked out from the rest of the field and pretty much guaranteed the win. Sterkowitz and Cove drove through the field quickly but couldn’t catch Trent on their worn out tires from the spin.
Trent said during the interview that he has had some great cars and some not so great cars but he was happy to win. Trent again was followed by Sterkowitz, Cove, Jeff Marcum and Jeff Williams for the top five.
In the front wheel series Jerry Dane used an inside move on Trevor Henson to take the checkered flag. Dane was followed by Chris Jennings, Elliot McKinnley, Henson and Marshal Clark Jr.
All in all it was a great night of racing for Anderson Speedway. Kudos go to the Rick Dawson and the staff. Double Kudos to all of the fans who braved the cold and stuck throughout the whole night. Kenny and I joked and wondered on whether we would finish before the racing ended. In case you wondering we beat it.
Again thank you Rick Dawson for hosting Speed Talk for the night. We got to meet some great people and fans. Denny Adams the track announcer gave us all of the inside dope on the racers. Thank you to all for the wonderful experience.
I am telling you race fans if you have never been to Anderson you need to check it out. Bottom line, you need to support your local and area tracks wherever it may be. If you don’t you are missing a hell of a time,
I’m Outta here!
