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Topic: OMG! Tommy Estes Stepping Down from ASCS!
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March 22, 2011 at
09:19:53 PM
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Lonnie Wheatley, TULSA, Okla. (March 22, 2011) – For the past twelve years, Tommie Estes, Jr., has played a significant role in the direction of Sprint Car racing as the competition director of the American Sprint Car Series, garnering the universal respect of drivers and car owners alike throughout the nation in the process. That is a stretch of duty that will come to a close after this weekend's 38th Annual Devil's Bowl Spring Nationals in Mesquite, TX, as it was announced today that Estes has elected to step down from his position with the American Sprint Car Series after this weekend's Spring Nationals. "It's just time for a change," Estes commented. "After racing for 23 years and then another 12 years working with ASCS, I'm ready to do something different for a while." Following a successful racing career in Sprint Cars, Estes went to work with Emmett Hahn's American Sprint Car Series in 1999 and has guided the National series along with overseeing the development and maintenance of the Regional tours as well since that time. "I appreciate all the opportunities that Emmett Hahn and his family have given me over the years, being a part of ASCS has been a great experience all around," Estes explained. "It's kind of sad to see it end, but I'm ready for something else." Hahn, who founded the American Sprint Car Series in 1992 and remains actively involved in the series operations as company President, spoke highly of Estes' contributions to the series and the sport in general. "Tommie has been an invaluable asset, the American Sprint Car Series wouldn't be what it is today without all his hard work and dedication over the years," Hahn explained. "Tommie has set the bar at his position, the respect he has from every driver and car owner in the pit area is proof of that." Hahn went on to say, "We appreciate everything Tommie has done for ASCS. While we regret that he's leaving, we respect his decision and wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors." No immediate replacement has been announced at this time. Additional information regarding the American Sprint Car Series is available at www.ascsracing.com.
David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com
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March 22, 2011 at
09:27:36 PM
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This message was edited on
March 22, 2011 at
09:31:37 PM by David Smith Jr
I want to say something here. Tommie and I started with ASCS virtually at the same time (me 1998) and the first time I met Tommie was his first race as an official and retired driver at Cowtown Speedway.
Tommie and I traveled up and down the highways with cell phones in hand going to all the little dirt tracks across Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas before ASCS got to where it is at now. There are many a stories I could tell traveling the roads, following each other and at the track. When I road with him one night coming home from Murfreesboro, Arkansas when I had no vehicle, Tommie and his sprint car stories from his past were fascinating to listen to.
I was rough those early years and Tommie was always there to bail me out, take an ass chewing for me and setting me straight - friend wise. He finally told me the words that made me realize just because I had opinions it didn't mean I had the right to post them in what I do for a living. Tommie was always there, even battling for me when he finally had to tell me I had been replaced the mid season 2002. (and for the series, it was definately for the best as they had their full time person to commit).
From Jason Johnsons fiery crash at the Salina High Banks to a little stop at a Loves Country Store in the middle of the night in southeast Oklahoma and the winding roads in Northeast Arkansas, stories I could tell about our time traveling.
Told him then and still holds true to this day, I love you Tommie Estes, Jr. and wish you the best in no matter what lays ahead for you.
David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com
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March 22, 2011 at
10:07:42 PM
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More sad news coming on the heels of losing the National Speed Sport News.
I wish Tommie the best of luck, and THANK him for his years of service.
Allen Crawford
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March 22, 2011 at
10:16:08 PM
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This message was edited on
March 22, 2011 at
10:20:33 PM by KOP
As I've told several people on numerous occasions, the two best things Hahn ever did for ASCS was hire Lonnie Wheatley and Tommy Estes Jr.
PS: Dont be surprised if Jr moves just a tad north 
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March 27, 2011 at
06:42:25 PM
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This message was edited on
March 28, 2011 at
06:02:20 AM by mjm sleepy
That presentation recognizing Tommie was done last night before the national anthem at the Devils Bowl.
It will be cool to see someone from Oklahoma in charge at the Knoxville Nationals.
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March 27, 2011 at
10:19:05 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: KOP on March 22 2011 at 10:16:08 PM
As I've told several people on numerous occasions, the two best things Hahn ever did for ASCS was hire Lonnie Wheatley and Tommy Estes Jr.
PS: Dont be surprised if Jr moves just a tad north
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That has been Tommie's dream job since we worked together back then. Told me he was next. Kudos to Tommie.
David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com
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March 27, 2011 at
11:00:27 PM
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This message was edited on
March 27, 2011 at
11:09:40 PM by KOP
What dream job did you mean? I have a feeling we are talking about different destinations.
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March 28, 2011 at
06:03:27 AM
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Word I have read/heard is he is replacing Ralph Capitani at Knoxville.
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March 28, 2011 at
10:42:36 AM
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Reply to:
Posted By: mjm sleepy on March 28 2011 at 06:03:27 AM
Word I have read/heard is he is replacing Ralph Capitani at Knoxville.
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Not Iowa
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March 28, 2011 at
11:04:38 AM
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Is Wichita or Dodge City considered a tad north? Isn't Knoxville more than just a tad?
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March 28, 2011 at
12:37:36 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: KOP on March 28 2011 at 10:42:36 AM
Not Iowa
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Ok, I heard the Knoxville thing Sat night @ Devils Bowl and I read it on Hoseheads somewhere,so I guess that was just rumor.
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March 28, 2011 at
02:22:57 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: mjm sleepy on March 28 2011 at 12:37:36 PM
Ok, I heard the Knoxville thing Sat night @ Devils Bowl and I read it on Hoseheads somewhere,so I guess that was just rumor.
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You may have heard that because Estes' name comes up a lot on the 'short list' of people to replace Cappy. If Estes wanted K-ville and vise versa, they would be a good team. Estes is VERY HIGHLY respected in this industry and he has choices of his choosing.
Cant be specific right now because until he gives an OK to say what his next move is, Im going to respect his right of discretion. He may also want to allow anyone he selects to make their own announcement at their choosing. Rest assured, if it's a company of any type of racing product in the industry that would like his services (and it doesnt have to be that of racing director), Tommie is a good choice for many opportunities.
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March 29, 2011 at
08:11:29 PM
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Dodge city
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March 29, 2011 at
08:21:35 PM
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Talked to Tommie today and he has several options at this point. He will make up his mind by Monday.
David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com
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March 30, 2011 at
11:52:05 AM
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that sucks
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