Another Joe Amentler article...
From the Elmira Star-Gazette May 27, 1976
Track Talk
by Joe Amentler
A couple of long haired race drivers have gained considerable national attention this past month.
Jan Opperman, whose reputation as a top ranking driver and a rugged individualist was established on the Central Pennsylvania sprint car circuit a few years ago, is one of the shoulder length chauffeurs.
Opperman's nationally televised USAC sprint car victory at Terre Haute, Ind., several weeks ago and his dramatic, last minute qualifying run at Indianapolis last Sunday have accorded him a share of the spotlight that lady driver Janet Gutherie has been enjoying -- or enduring. They've both earned the recognition with their cool competence under pressure.
The pressure will be on the modified hot shoes this weekend with a passel of events to pick from.
The Kent racing team, driver George and car owner Ron of Horseheads, will skip the Patriot 300 at Charlotte, N.C., in favor of a full Northeast schedule of competition. They'll be running at Spencer Speedway, Williamson, N.Y., on Friday night, Shangri-La on Saturday night, Oswego Speedway Sunday afternoon, Fulton Raceway Sunday night and Stafford Springs, Conn. Speedway Memorial Day afternoon.
Dean Hoag of Bath will see action at the Saturday Charlotte race and plans on making the long trek north to Oswego's Port City 150 contest Sunday. Dean wreaked at Lancaster Speedway Saturday night but has his mount ready for the big money tests.
Dean's illustrious father, Dutch Hoag, will be entering the hospital for a knee operation so his future racing plans are uncertain.
Richie Evans went to Lancaster last week and stopped Maynard Troyer's win streak at two. Evans literally blew the doors off Troyer as early-race contact between the two resulted in extensive sheet metal damage to Troyer's Nagle racer.
Other Weekend Results:
Sonny Seamon of Vernon Center was a double winner, copping his second in a row at Shangri-La and edging out runnerup George Kent at Fulton. Kent was fourth at Owego behind Seamon, Dick Clark and Ben Stephens of Newark Valley.
A local leadfoot took the late model feature for the first time this year at Chemung Speedrome. Elmiran Bob Frisbie stopped the domination of Western New York drivers, winning handily from his 10th starting spot. Two-time winner Gail Barber had to settle for fifth behind smooth-running Duane Ellis of Waverly. Gordy Smith was third and Stan Clark of Corning, second. Waverly's Denny Shipman copped his third rough and tumble street stock main.
Geoff Bodine's try for two in a row at Stafford Speedway was rained out Saturday night. He took second behind Fred DeSarro at Thompson, Conn., Sunday making it two wins and a place in three outings with his new modified. Bodine's holiday weekend itinerary will be Charlotte, Oswego and Stafford.
Think sun!