5 WEEKEND AFTER-THOUGHTS: Attica, Eldora, and more!

(Action Photos)

1. If you missed Brian Smith's victory lane celebration after he won the 410 Sprint feature Friday night at Attica Raceway Park, then you missed the greatest celebration I have ever seen in my 33 years.  In a true "David vs. Goliath" battle, the under-funded Smith captured his second career win at Attica and made sure the fans wouldn't forget it any time soon.  After climbing from his car in winner's circle, Smith ran down the horse track to a long stretch of muddy mess, did a forward flip onto his back and into the ginormous mud puddle.  He topped it off with a muddy snow angel, much to the delight of the crowd.  Everyone enjoys seeing an underdog get a win ... and everyone likes an enthusiastic driver in victory lane.  Friday night at Attica, they saw both all wrapped up into one.  The video is available here (the celebration starts right around the 10:00 mark).

2.  The Sunoco ALMS feature at Attica didn't disappoint as Jon Henry and Jeep Van Wormer battled back-and-forth, side-by-side throughout the middle stages of the race.  Throw in a hard charging Matt Miller, who started 18th, and you had an instant classic with Henry coming out on top for his first win of 2013.  The Late Model and 410 Sprint features at Attica Friday just help prove what I have said the last few years ... week in and week out, Attica Raceway Park is one of the best and raciest tracks in the entire country.  I'm fortunate to live so close.

3.  Not to be outdone, Eldora finally got their 60th season opener in the books.  While the Mods and Stocks put on their usual good shows, it was the Tuff Trucks who stole the spotlight.  Although only nine drivers started their 15-lap feature, the race amongst the top four/five was as good as you'll see anywhere with side-by-side racing and slicing and dicing for the win.  The video is here and the Truck A-Feature starts right around the 7:10 mark.

4.  Celebrating his 92nd birthday (and his 66th wedding anniversary to wife Bernice), Earl Baltes was in attendance Saturday night at Eldora.  I'm truly blessed to announce at the house he built and it's always good to have him and Bernice at the track.

5.  Another week in the Dirt Late Model world and another week of tire doping infractions.  I'm not sure who or what to believe anymore.  And I'll just leave it at that.