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BLUE ISLAND, Ill.— Marks Hernandez, better known to Chicago-area stock car racing fans as Speedy Gonzales, passed away on Friday at the age of 85.
Born in Blue Island, Ill., Hernandez began racing at Blue Island’s Raceway Park in 1963, using the cartoon character name. In 1965, he won one feature and five heat races in the track’s amateur/claiming division.
He became a late model division competitor the following year, driving a blue ’65 Chevelle No. 3. In 1967, Hernandez captured a couple of heat race wins in late model action at the “World’s Busiest Track” still driving his trusty ’65 Chevelle, which was now numbered “09”.
Hernandez was a late model heat race winner at Raceway Park every year from 1967 through 1974, winning as many as nine heat races in 1972 and 1973.
He finished 11th in the late model standings at Raceway Park in 1973 – his best points performance at the tight, quarter-mile, paved oval.
In May of 1974, Hernandez finished second to 11-time Raceway champion Bud Koehler in a 30-lap feature race, with the legendary racer Dick Trickle trailing Hernandez at the checkered flag.
His feat that night became a great trivia question: who finished behind feature winner Bud Koehler and ahead of Dick Trickle the night Trickle showed up unexpectedly at Raceway Park in 1974?
Hernandez enjoyed a special moment in his racing career when he won his one and only late model feature race at Raceway Park early during the 1971 season – Sunday, May 16, to be exact.
Raceway Park announcer and writer for the old Illustrated Speedway News newspaper, Wayne Adams, wrote on the feat in the following week’s issue of the paper and lauded Hernandez.
“Speedy Gonzales of Blue Island is an excellent example of what it takes to become a successful race driver – he has ambition, desire, courage, skill, daring and above all he never learned the meaning of the word – quit,” said Adams. “Tonight at Raceway Park, Speedy Gonzales achieved of one he greatest thrills of his lifetime as he drove his 1969 Chevelle “409” No. 09 to a feature victory in the rugged late model division – the first such win in his eight-year driving career.
“During the past eight years, Gonzales has suffered some severe setbacks – the type that would make an ordinary person give up in disgust, but not Gonzales,” Adams added. “Many times during that period since 1963, he has dragged home a shattered hunk of metal that used to be a racing car. He had numerous narrow escapes and has wound up in the hospital with rather severe injuries.
“But Speedy kept coming back for more and tonight he was rewarded with the feature checkered flag in the roughest short track stock car action in the entire Midwest.”
That feature win night saw Hernandez take the lead on lap two and score the victory ahead of Jerry Kemperman, Koehler, Ray Para, George Hill and Larry Middleton – definitely some stout competition.
For a time, Hernandez drove for Dennis Kwiatkowski and Art Corradino. Hernandez dubbed his young car owners the “Fernando Brothers” – a “tag” that stuck to Denny and Art for many years.
He seldom traveled away from his home track – Raceway Park, but did compete at other area short tracks – even on the dirt at Santa Fe Speedway.
Retiring as a race car driver in the mid 1970s, Hernandez began fielding quarter-midgets for his two sons, Marks II and Peter. Speedy’s team, including his wife Theresa, would travel all over the Midwest to compete.
When the boys got older, both competed in local stock car action. Peter Hernandez, nicknamed “Little Speedy”, began competing in Mid American Stock Car Series action, traveling to various tracks in the Midwest and winning the series title in 2004.
With his driving days behind him, Marks Hernandez also served as a member on several local race teams, including helping Tom Jones in American Speed Ass’n competition. He also fielded a late model car for several drivers including area champion Mike White, who won late model feature races in 1990.
Visitation for Marks Hernandez will be held Aug. 12, from 3 pm until 9 pm. Chapel prayers will begin Tuesday at 9:00 am at the Krueger Funeral Home at 13050 S. Greenwood Ave. in Blue Island, then move to St. Donatus Church at 1939 Union St. in Blue Island for mass at 10:00 am.
Cremation will be private.
Rest in peace, Speedy.
Pittman Finally Lands On Knoxville Nationals Podium
KNOXVILLE, Iowa — Daryn Pittman won the 2013 World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series championship and has a collection of victories that would make most drivers green with envy.
But the 40-year-old Oklahoma native has always felt like a fish out of water at Knoxville Raceway.
During Saturday’s 59th annual NOS Energy Drink Knoxville Nationals, Pittman charged from 10th starting spot and was finally a contender to win the $150,000 top prize.
He rode second most of the race in his Roth Motorsports No. 83 sprint car, but finished third after Logan Schuchart passed him on the final lap.
Pittman’s contention left him with mixed emotions.
“I am happy with the effort our Roth Motorsports team put in and for us to have a car that I honestly believe was capable of competing for a win,” Pittman said. “I don’t think I have ever had that here. There are good thirds, there are bad thirds and I’m kind of in between.
“On one hand, I’m happy, but on the other I think I made too many mistakes as a driver to stay with David. I think he had the better car and was able to get through traffic better than I was.”
Pittman said he’s never really been comfortable with the feel of his race cars at the Marion County Fairgrounds dirt track.
“It’s the feel of the race car. I leave here every year watching videos of the guys who are successful here and watching their cars on video and going, ‘Mine doesn’t even come close to that,’” Pittman said. “It’s my 17th A-main start here on Saturday and this has been a difficult place for me to figure out as a driver and as far as the setup. We came here in June and tested right before the Outlaw show and ran good then, and this has been the best year I’ve ever had at Knoxville.
“While I am disappointed with running third, at least I am in here and I can see the front and I know what it feels like to have a competitive race car here,” Pittman noted. “That’s something I’ve lacked for a while. There are just some tracks that I get and this isn’t one of them. I’m 40 years old and maybe I am finally figuring it out 20 years later.”
Still, he felt he should have finished second.
“I’m pretty frustrated that we lost second on that last lap,” he said. “A lapped car just made a mistake in front of us and I’m pissed off, but I’ve been that lapped car and made that mistake, so I have to keep that in mind. It’s been a roller-coaster of a season.
“We are fighting really hard and for once I know what it feels like to be fast around here.”
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I do: Wie ties the knot with West in big Beverly Hills ceremony
Michelle Wie got married in style Saturday to Jonnie West in a ceremony and reception at a private home in Beverly Hills, Calif.
West is the director of basketball operations for the Golden State Warriors and son of NBA great Jerry West.
“She was so happy, and she looked so radiant,” said David Leadbetter, her long-time coach. “It’s a great new chapter in her life.”
Leadbetter was among the estimated 150 or so guests at the wedding. His daughter, Hally, was one of the bridesmaids. And, yes, of course, Jerry West was there, as was Golden State warriors star Stephen Curry. LPGA pros Danielle Kang, Jessica Korda, Marina Alex, Alison Lee and Alison Walshe were also among the guests, as were World Golf Hall of Famers Beth Daniel and Meg Mallon.
“I’ve known Michelle since she was 13, more than half of her life,” Leadbetter said. “So, it was quite emotional, seeing her get married. She’s going to be a great wife and I’m sure at some time a great mom, in the future.”
While Wie has a home in Jupiter, Fla., she’s expected to make her new base in San Francisco, where her husband is based.
And about Wie’s golf?
“She has no thoughts about retiring,” Leadbetter said. “She’s very determined to keep playing.”
After missing the cut with recurring pain in her ailing right hand at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in mid-June, Wie announced she was going to take the rest of the year off. She had surgery last fall to repair an avulsion fracture, bone chips and nerve entrapment in the hand. She struggled with pain in her four starts this year.
“She’s getting various treatments and just looking to give it more rest,” Leadbetter said. “Hopefully, she’ll be able to get back working on her game toward the latter part of the year, to get ready for next year.”
Hur closes with 66 to run away with Ladies Scottish Open
NORTH BERWICK, Scotland - Mi Jung Hur won her third LPGA title with a brilliant final round at the Ladies Scottish Open on Sunday.
The South Korean carded a closing 5-under 66 in wet conditions at The Renaissance Club to finish at 20 under, four shots ahead of compatriot Jeongeun Lee6 (70) and Thailand's Moriya Jutanugarn (71).
After playing the first eight holes in 1-over par, Hur had four straight birdies starting on the ninth and also birdied Nos. 16 and 18 to come home in 31 to secure her first win since 2014.
''Honestly I don't like links courses but after this week I love it,'' Hur told Sky Sports. ''It was really tough today with the rain but my caddie Gary is from Scotland and he helped me a lot on the course.''
Hur shot a 62 in the second round, taking just 24 putts.
Lee6, a newcomer to links golf, won the U.S. Women's Open in June in South Carolina.
Overnight leader Jutanugarn had been trying to follow her sister with a Ladies Scottish Open victory after Ariya Jutanugarn won last year at Gullane.
Koepka, DeChambeau talk slow play: 'No issues' after face-to-face chat
JERSEY CITY, N.J. – A day after making an impassioned defense of his pace of play, Bryson DeChambeau took his message to at least one high-profile opponent of slow play Sunday at The Northern Trust.
According to various sources, prior to his final round at Liberty National, DeChambeau told Brooks Koepka’s caddie Ricky Elliott that if Koepka had a problem with his pace of play he should tell him directly.
Before teeing off for the final round the two were spotted talking.
“I mentioned his name once. I don't think I've come at him. I just talked about slow play, and obviously he feels I'm talking about him every time,” said Koepka, who added that he hoped to continue the conversation later on Sunday. “It was fine. No issues.”
DeChambeau, who became the focus of the slow play conversation this week after a video surfaced of him taking more than two minutes to hit an 8-foot putt on Friday, said he was pleased with the conversation but didn’t think anything else needed to be said.
“[Koepka] said a lot of things about slow play out in the public, and you guys have asked him that and he has the right to say things just as I do,” DeChambeau said. “I have heard him talk about slow play before and he has mentioned my name before, and I just wanted to clear the air. He's got respect for me; I have respect for him. So, no issues.”
DeChambeau said he hadn’t spoken with any other players about this week’s slow-play debate but he did spend a good amount of time on social media Saturday evening explaining his side of the conversation to fans.
“Everybody says not to respond to people on social media, but I'm not about to let my reputation be known as a slow player,” he said. “I just don't appreciate that. I think it's unfortunate because people don't see what I do day-in and day-out, high-fiving the kids, saying thank you to the fans and volunteers out there, and they just look at all the negative stuff.”
Koepka, who publicly criticized DeChambeau for slow play earlier this season, added that it might help the situation if more players discussed pace of play candidly like he and DeChambeau.
“Everyone out here [is] probably a little bit more afraid of confrontation than in other sports. I think you see that,” Koepka said. “There's always been some confrontation on a team. Sometimes it helps and you figure out what the root of the problem is, and start working on it.”
'Recent incidents' move PGA Tour to review its pace-of-play policy
Responding to what it describes as "recent incidents about pace of play," the PGA Tour has announced plans to review its current pace-of-play policy, including the possibility of expanding fines and penalties to players in groups that are not out of position.
Pace of play has been a lingering issue on Tour this year, from J.B. Holmes' deliberate victory at Riviera to six-hour rounds at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. This week it was Bryson DeChambeau who was in the spotlight after a video went viral showing him taking 2 minutes and 20 seconds to hit an 8-foot putt during the second round of The Northern Trust.
The video sparked social media outrage that included input from fellow Tour players and caddies, and it seems to have led to some swift action in Ponte Vedra Beach. According to a statement released Sunday, the Tour hopes to leverage its proprietary Shotlink technology to create a comprehensive pace report for each Tour player.
"We know that the individual habits of players when they are preparing to hit a shot can quickly become a focal point in today's world, and our players and fans are very passionate about this issue," said Tyler Dennis, the Tour's chief of operations. "We are currently in the process of reviewing this aspect of pace of play and asking ourselves, 'Is there a better way to do it?' We think technology definitely plays a key role in all of this and we are thinking about new and innovative ways to use it to address these situations."
At root is the issue that DeChambeau's much-discussed putt would not, on its own, merit a penalty under the Tour's current guidelines. To incur a penalty, a player's group must first be deemed to be out of position. At that point, an individual would receive a warning the first time he exceeded the allotted time limit (either 40 or 50 seconds), and would only be penalized for a second such bad time.
The Tour doles out undisclosed fines beginning with a player's second bad time of the season, even if he didn't get penalized, and similar fines are handed out the 10th time a player's group has been deemed out of position in a season. But moving forward, the Tour "could consider adding" language aimed at cracking down on slow players even if their group is not out of position.
DeChambeau spoke out against his critics Saturday, reiterating his position that elements like how fast a player walks in between shots should also be factored when calculating individual pace of play.
"When people start talking to me about slow play and how I'm killing the game, I'm doing this and that to the game, that is complete and utter you-know-what," DeChambeau said.
Justin Thomas, who played with DeChambeau during the first two rounds in New Jersey, conceded, "I like Bryson as a person, but he's a slow golfer."
But the answer to the issue may not simply be expanded ShotLink data. Former world No. 1 Justin Rose added that aspects like increased crowd size and noise, as well as the amount of media members following a group inside the ropes, can have an adverse effect on any attempts to accurately gauge pace.
"The crowds are a lot bigger here and a lot more vocal, and there's a lot more movement and distraction, I think,which obviously creates the atmosphere that we want to play in front of," Rose said. "You can't have it both ways. You can't have it fun and rowdy out here yet expect guys to hit shots on a clock through situations where the environment isn't ready for them to play."
Reed captures Northern Trust for first win since '18 Masters
For the second time in the last four years, Patrick Reed has captured the first FedExCup playoff event. Here's how things ended at Liberty National, where Reed won The Northern Trust by a shot for his first win since the 2018 Masters:
Leaderboard: Patrick Reed (-16), Abraham Ancer (-15), Jon Rahm (-14), Harold Varner III (-14), Adam Scott (-13), Jordan Spieth (-12), Rory McIlroy (-12)
What it means: Reed started the day with a one-shot lead, and despite a wobbly start that included three bogeys over his first six holes he managed to get things back on track thanks to a bogey-free back nine. It's the highlight of a clear trend for Reed, who won this event in 2016 when it was at Bethpage and who entered with five straight top-25 finishes dating back to June. Reed struggled in the wake of his Masters win, going nearly eight months without a top-10 finish and making a much-publicized instructor switch this spring. But he's now back in the winner's circle for the first time since last April, and he'll start the BMW Championship behind only Brooks Koepka in the points race.
Round of the day: Six years after winning a playoff event here, Scott made the day's big move with a 6-under 65 that took him into fifth place. The Aussie carded seven birdies against just a lone bogey for his lowest score of the week by three shots, and after moving to 14th in the points race he's assured of a trip back to the Tour Championship for the first time since 2016.
Best of the rest: Kevin Tway won the first event of the season back in November in Napa, and he matched Scott's 65 to tie the low round of the day. Tway managed to stay bogey-free around Liberty National while moving up nearly 40 spots in the standings, but after a slow start to the week his sterling close still only left him in a tie for 24th and with more work to do in Chicago in order to make the Tour Championship.
Biggest disappointment: While one former Masters champ thrived, another stumbled. Danny Willett appeared in position to crack the top 70 in points and earn a trip to Medinah in the process, but it all came apart for the Englishman during a final-round 75. Willett played his first five holes in 4 over, made only one birdie and despite a top-25 finish he ended the week 85th in points and well shy of a BMW berth.
Top-70 bubble: Varner (102nd to 29th), Troy Merritt (72nd to 59th), Wyndham Clark (90th to 68th) and Joaquin Niemann (74th to 70th) all moved inside the number and will play next week in Chicago. Conversely, the season is now over for Sergio Garcia (65th to 72nd), Danny Lee (66th to 73rd), Matthew Wolff (70th to 74th) and Kevin Streelman (68th to 75th).
Quote of the day: "To feel like I've been playing some solid golf and finally have it kind of pay off, and for it to come out as a victory, it's been a while. It's been a little too long, honestly." - Reed
Atlanta United striker Josef Martinez scored in his 10th consecutive MLS game on Sunday to set a league record in his team's 2-1 win over New York City FC.
Martinez, who overcame an adductor injury to face New York City FC, headed home in the 42nd minute to give United a 1-0 lead at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to break the consecutive-games scoring record he shared with Portland's Diego Valeri.
Martinez had tied Valeri's record last season before scoring in nine straight games again ahead of Sunday's game.
With the goal, Martinez also set the MLS record for the most combined goals in three-straight MLS seasons with 69, taking him past the record he shared with the New York Red Bulls' Bradley Wright-Phillips.
Martinez added a second goal from the penalty spot in the second half to take his tally to 20 goals this season, with 15 of those coming in his last 10 matches.
Paris Saint-Germain's star-studded attack brushed off the absence of Neymar as Edinson Cavani, Kylian Mbappe and substitute Angel Di Maria all got on the scoresheet in a comfortable 3-0 home win over Nimes in their Ligue 1 opener on Sunday.
The champions left the 27-year-old Brazil forward out of their squad as he continues to be linked with a move away from the French capital, and PSG fans on the terraces waved banners containing messages to signal their displeasure with him.
Derogatory chants in Spanish rang out amid rumours of a Barcelona return, or a Real Madrid switch, and banners were flown that took direct aim at the wantaway Brazilian.
Neymar did not play after Thomas Tuchel and sporting director Leonardo both publicly admitted that a mixture of fitness problems and the ongoing question over his future dictated that he could not feature.
The German tactician also addressed the €222 million man's situation in a pre-match interview with Canal+.
"It is very difficult, but it is a challenge (coping with Neymar rumours)," he said. "I love Neymar and I always want to play with him, with Kylian -- everyone.
"That is the reality. We must find solutions without Neymar. It is not a personal thing and it is possible that he stays.
"Now, it is between Neymar and PSG, as well as the other club that wants to buy him or not. That is the situation."
Tuchel then joked that losing Neymar this summer would disrupt his sleeping patterns because of his decisive nature -- when fit.
"I have no news on Neymar's future! He is a super decisive player -- he has been super decisive for us," he said before smiling. "If we lose him, perhaps I will not sleep too well at home."
Tuchel also called for realism over the fact that if Neymar goes, PSG will not be able to replace with a similar player, as his ability is unique.
"It is not possible to lose Neymar and find another guy who does the same things as him. It is not over -- we need to be realistic."
Solskjaer hails United's 'risk and reward' football
MANCHESTER, England -- Manchester United's 4-0 demolition of Chelsea is proof that cavalier attacking football is back at Old Trafford, according to manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
United occasionally rode their luck against Frank Lampard's side, but eventually ran out comfortable winners thanks to two goals from Marcus Rashford and one each from Anthony Martial and summer signing Dan James.
Solskjaer has made a point of employing a more attacking style after supporter criticism of the football under both Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho and the Norwegian insists he is happy for his team to take risks in the search for goals.
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"As we said to the boys before the game, we have found the way we want to play and a way we believe in," Solskjaer told a news conference at Old Trafford.
"You've just got to go out and do the same. We took risks but that's the way here. You have got to go for it. It's risk and reward and today we were rewarded."
United went in at half-time a goal up thanks to Rashford's 18th-minute penalty, but were fortunate to see both Tammy Abraham and Emerson hit the post when presented with good chances.
Solskjaer admitted his team had been "lucky" to keep their lead before a clinical second half that saw Rashford, Martial and James score three times in 16 minutes.
"You take a win because it's about points," said Solskjaer. "The performance in the second half was very pleasing, that was the big plus.
"Coming into half-time we were a bit lucky. They pinned us back and created chances, but we settled a few nerves [in the second half]."
Paul Pogba was key to United's second-half performance after setting up Rashford's second and a debut goal for James after a driving run through midfield.
He has been linked with a move away after saying publicly he wants a "new challenge" but Solskjaer insists he could not be happier with the Frenchman.
"He's a top, top lad and such a pro," said Solskjaer. "He loves playing football and when he gets onto that pitch he grows more. He's a World Cup winner, he's come so far in his career and there's no point letting yourself down.
"He lost it a couple of times but it doesn't matter -- get on the ball and play."
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