Red Flag

Turn 5
Season 2
Lap 2

Local Blogger Blames Failed Marriage on Track Closing
By Philip Gasstank
Chouteau Morning Tribune

TULSA- Local woman Cathy McWebsterberg has reportedly filed for divorce from her husband, auto-racing journalist Brian McWebsterberg. Brian McWebsterberg is best known for his website Salina Racing Blog (http://brianwebster.blogspot.com).

“I listened to his pointless stories about racing. I sacrificed time on the family computer so that he could type racing stories for his website. I even turned the other cheek when he sat in the living room watching his Salina racing DVDs for 15 hours straight,” Cathy McWebsterberg said, “but when he sat up in bed in the middle of the night and cried out for Randy Frailey… that was the last straw.”

Brian McWebsterberg blames his failed marriage on the closure of Salina Highbanks Speedway. Racing fans know him for his dedication to posting results of the races on his blog. However, it seems Brian McWebsterberg’s career in racing journalism has been cut short.

The McWebsterberg computer screen still bears a message posted by Track Owner Paula of Salina Highbanks Speedway:

The Track Will Not Be Open For The 2007 Season, I Have Decided To Put The Track Up For Sale.
Thank You Everyone For Being Part Of The Salina Highbanks Speedway.

“It feels like someone punched me in the stomach. I don’t want to eat. I don’t want to sleep. I just want to watch Randy Frailey, Jeremy Ross, and the F-4 Phantoms tear up the track again,” Brian McWebsterberg said.

Brian McWebsterberg’s internet journalism career remains frozen in time, much like his computer screen, a frozen reminder of what will surely be an empty chasm in his life.

“I’m not sure if he’s aware I served him with divorce papers, because he’s so in shock over the race track closing, but whatever,” Cathy McWebsterberg said. “I told him it was me or the racing and he picked racing, and now he’s left with nothing. I’m totally cleaning him out in the divorce settlement.”

“I can’t believe this. My life is over,” Brian McWebsterberg mumbled from beneath a pile of blankets on his living room floor. Brian McWebsterberg smelled as though he had been without a shower for several days.

Goodspeed's Crystal Ball

Turn 5
Volume 2
Lap 1

"Salina Highbanks 2007 Season Preview"
by Ed Goodspeed
Salina Evening Post

Ed Goodspeed’s drivers to watch out for in 2007:

#51 Cole Trickle- I know Cole, he always goes high. The former open wheeler made the transition to stock cars last year, but his progress slowed after a serious accident. It will be interesting to see how Trickle copes with the lasting effects of his injuries, especially since he has a hot temper.

#19 Russ Wheeler- He is arrogant, and he drives dirty. His dashing looks make him irresistible to the ladies. Look for the Hardee’s machine to make several appearances in victory lane, and listen for Wheeler to run his mouth about how great he is.

#9 Racer X- Race fans know little about this mysterious soldier of fortune. It seems he disappears just as quickly as he appears. The brief moments of brilliance this mysterious driver has displayed show that Racer X has plenty of upside.

#49 Brewster Baker- This grizzled veteran takes gambles sometimes, but he knows when to hold ‘em, and when to fold ‘em. Rumor has it he employs children on his pit crew. For Baker, this season is a race on the track and a race against the Oklahoma Department of Human Services before they throw the red flag on his racing season.

#6 Steve Grayson- Rumor has it his manager has put the team in a financial crunch, so Grayson must put his white Dodge Charger in the winner’s circle in order to pay off debt to the IRS. If he fails, it’s off to the Heartbreak Hotel (down at the end of Lonely Street). Despite the predicament, Grayson always has a song in his heart. Maybe it’s because he’s also putting it to Nancy Sinatra. Thank you, thank you very much.

#7 Stroker Ace- This guy is up for a race any time. Rain, sleet, snow, bureaucrats, and or even chicken suits can find a way to slow Stroker, right? Not so fast. Word has it Stroker has a couple of distractions in the pits. The first being his sponsor, Chicken Pit Owner Clyde Torkle, and the second being a hot blonde named Pembrook Feeney. No matter what happens this season for Ace, hilarity will surely ensue.