Pataskala’s Shank on Indy win: ‘It’s a big deal for us’
Michael Shank of Meyer Shank Racing, Inc., says winning the 2021 Indianapolis 500 has exceeded all expectations. “It’s a big deal for us.”
It has, Shank said, changed everything. “The whole world… It turns out, it’s a pretty big deal. It’s nonstop, pretty much. Mostly, it’s incredible, all the well-wishes. It’s kind of overwhelming because it’s a lot. But a lot of it is for the history of it – the American history – of (driver) Hélio Castroneves winning his fourth Indy 500.”
The victory has also earned Shank a new set of wheels.
On Monday afternoon, Shank and wife Marybeth visited Coughlin Chevrolet in Newark to pick up one more of the spoils of victory, a white-and-black 2021 Corvette Stingray, one of four such pace cars created for this year’s recently completed Indy 500 that the Meyer Shank team won with now four-time Indy winner Castroneves at the wheel.
Their next goal: Win the Indianapolis 500 in 2022 and create an even more historic win than this year.
“Helio is plenty healthy,” Shank says, vowing, “We’re going to do it again next year.”
Right now, Castroneves is tied with fellow four-time Indy winners A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr. and Rick Mears.
“If he gets a fifth win,” Shank says, “That’s never been done. This was the 105th running, right? So, in 105 years, that has never happened. “We’ll try to do that real hard…” Shank said of the team’s partners and sponsors, “They are extremely excited. Over-the-top.”
He added, “We also got lucky because coming out of COVID, we had a humungous audience. A lot of people were there and watching, and Helio is this out-going, bigger-than-life character.”
Shank said the new Chevy Stingray, which Coughlin Fleet Sales Manager Rick Watson said is capable of reaching speeds approaching 200 miles an hour, won’t be tooling around the lakeside roads of Buckeye Lake where the Shanks make their home.
Instead, the Stingray convertible hardtop will be going on display in the lobby of the new Meyer-shank headquarters building located in the Pataskala Corporate Park at Refugee Road and Etna Parkway.
The new Pataskala HQ, the Shanks said, is nearing completion and should open in the first week of August. “It’s going well, I just don’t even have time to deal with it, to be honest with you,” he said.
That’s because for now, the racing season remains in full swing, and Shank and company are on the road and the track most of the time through November.
“We’ll have some time off in July and I’ll get to go on the lake,” Shank said. “But other than that, we were in Detroit last weekend, we’re in Wisconsin this weekend. We have Mid-ohio coming up, the Indy car race, July 4 weekend….”
Sometime after all that, Pataskala Mayor Mike Compton, Shank confirmed, has talked of a parade to honor the city’s newest corporate park resident and to celebrate their historic Indy win.
Shank said Compton told him, “’Shank, we’re doing it! We’ll have the band come out, you can bring the semi and the pace car!’” Community is important to Shank. He said, “We’re local people. We live at the lake, we shop locally. We wanted to do something to stay in Columbus and this side of town. We could have (located) in Charlotte, we could have gone to Indianapolis, but wanted to stay local. We work with C-TEC here, all the high schools in Licking County. They’ve helped us, too… Helped us with the new building, so we try to reciprocate.”
Shank says of the decision to shift operations from Etna to Pataskala, “I like the mayor (Compton) and I felt like he really wanted us there. I know we’re among all those big boxes there, but I think ours is pretty special. We had a good chance to stand out.”
When it came time to pick up the pace car, Shank asked that it happen at Coughlin’s location on 21st Street in Newark. Coughlin also operates a large lot on Broad Street in Pataskala. Again, Shank says, local matters. Before he drove the pace car out of the lobby, Coughlin’s Watson and Ben Parks ran Shank through the ins and outs of his convertible Corvette. The two-seater convertible Vette’s hardtop retreats into a rear compartment and the trunk.
The car currently has about 100 miles on the odometer and was driven in a parade by Danica Patrick.
“We won’t put more than a couple thousand miles on it,” Shank said. “It’s fairly collectible.”
As proof, an Indy 500 pace car collector recently dropped by Coughlin’s just to bask in this one’s presence, Coughlin staffers said.
MANSFIELD – Craig Yosick will spend the next 20-251⁄2 years behind bars for his involvement in a torture case.
Prosecutors have said Yosick and at least two other people, after accusing a 41-year-old man of being a pedophile and an informant for METRICH, tied him up, beat him, put him into a bathtub filled with chemicals, held a butane lighter to his genitals and tried to electrocute him with a car battery last August.
A jury last month convicted Lisa Hernandez, a co-defendant, for her involvement. She was sentenced to 30 years in prison. The victim’s former girlfriend, 33-year-old Rebeccah Lewis, has pleaded guilty to her charges and will be sentenced July 19.
Emily Hall, Richland County assistant prosecutor, has said Hernandez and Lewis, after torturing the victim, drove around for hours with him in his own car, looking for a place to kill him and dump the body.
The victim was ultimately able to loosen the rope that bound him and he pushed one of the attackers down and managed to escape while the car was stopped. Authorities later found the man’s car torched in a field.
Victim’s sister says her brother has been ‘damaged’
Yosick, who is listed as transient in court documents, said before being sentenced that his actions were “out of character.”
“I’m very remorseful for what I did. If I would not have been up, I would not have even been there,” he said, referring to his methamphetamine use. “I’m not a violent person, I just was up and was at the wrong place at the wrong time. I apologize and I’m very remorseful.”
The victim’s sister appeared in court Monday and told Yosick that he damaged her brother.
“My brother is not the same person,” she said. “My brother is out of the ordinary, out of character. It doesn’t matter if you say you’re sorry because you or no one else has a right to decide what happens to somebody. Only God and the judge can decide that so your apologies mean nothing to me or my family. You should apologize to your brother because you damaged my brother.”
Yosick, while the victim’s sister spoke, turned his head just slightly in her direction as if to hear her better, but did not rotate his head enough to meet her eyes.
Prosecutors said Yosick did not cooperate with inquiry
Cassandra Mayer, Yosick’s attorney, argued her client had been cooperative with the case from the beginning, something that Hall rejected.
Hall told Judge Phil Naumoff of Richland County Common Pleas Court that while Yosick had taken some responsibility for his actions and did not accompany Fernandez and another codefendant on their drive to find a place to kill the victim and dump his body, he did not cooperate with the case.
While not asking for the maximum possible sentence, Hall urged Naumoff to impose a sentence of 22 to 25 years, more than the 14-15 year sentence that Mayer had requested.
“The court was here for Mr. Yosick’s testimony, had the opportunity to see him testify, had the opportunity to see him initially claim that he couldn’t remember what happened and that he didn’t remember anything happening to the victim,” Hall said, referring to Hernandez’s jury trial. “It did not appear, at least to the state of Ohio, that he showed really any sort of remorse. He really sort of downplayed his involvement in what occurred while he testified.”
Naumoff, in sentencing Yosick, agreed with Hall but granted Mayer’s request that the two counts each of kidnapping, aggravated robbery and felonious assault Yosick faced be merged into one count each.
Judge says Yosick has not taken responsibility for his actions
Before handing down the sentence, Naumoff told Yosick that his testimony in Hernandez’s case was “worthless” and “abysmal.”
“That testimony didn’t help anybody,” he added. “You’ve shown a lack of remorse and responsibility throughout this.”
Naumoff concurred with Hall in saying the victim has suffered severe physical and psychological harm.
“You tied him up, you beat on him,” Naumoff told Yosick. “You put him in a bathtub with ammonia and other caustic substances — we’re not sure what it was, never could determine that.”
The victim was also drugged with Tylenol PM in an effort to make him drowsy, prosecutors have said.
Yosick’s only saving grace appeared to be his willingness to plead guilty as charged.
“Mr. Yosick, make no mistake — you saved 10 years by pleading,” Naumoff said. “There’s no doubt with this court that the intention at some point in time was to kill the victim. Somebody was going to.” mtrombly@gannett.com 419-521-7205
Twitter: @monroetrombly
For many, summer doesn’t truly begin until the Peach Truck arrives in town.
That happens soon.
The Nashville-based company will be hitting several central Ohio locations between June 24 and 26. Its staple product, which must be ordered online ahead of time, is the 25-pound box of peaches, which this year costs $45.
Enthusiastic canners won’t have any trouble dealing with that amount of fruit; others can find directions for freezing and plenty of recipes on the company website. For those who aren’t quite ready to commit, the Peach Truck will return to central Ohio in July.
For more information and to order, visit www.thepeachtruck.com
Here’s where the truck will be dropping off orders locally:
JUNE 24
h Brewdog Columbus, 96 Gender Road, Canal Winchester h Big Sandy Superstore, 2644 Taylor Road SW, Reynoldsburg
John F. Wolfe Columbus
Commons, East Rich and South High streets
h Purple Door Church, 2650 Columbus St., Grove City
h Big Sandy Superstore, 1180 Polaris Parkway
JUNE 25
h Menards, 1805 Morse Road h Westerville Ace Hardware, 1220 County Line Road, Westerville
h Big Sandy Superstore, 6825 Dublin Center Drive, Dublin
h The Mall at Tuttle Crossing, 5043 Tuttle Crossing Blvd., Dublin
JUNE 26
h Weiland’s Market, 3600 Indianola Ave.
About a year ago, I was contacted by a company that offered to send me an air fryer to try in exchange for sharing my food preparation experiences on social media. Of course, I said yes, and the Power XL Air Fryer quickly became one of my favorite kitchen appliances. It’s fun to experiment and learn how to adapt favorite recipes to the air fryer.
With summer in full swing, everyone needs a few recipes that can be assembled and cooked quickly for family and drop-in guests. There are dozens of bacon-wrapped shrimp recipes online, and most of them use jumbo shrimp. But, as we know, jumbo shrimp can be pricy.
After thinking about it, I realized we love fried popcorn shrimp, so why not make bacon-wrapped popcorn shrimp? The smaller shrimp are more economical, and plus, they’re just fun to eat!
Laura Tolbert, also known as Fleur de Lolly, has been sharing recipes, table decor ideas and advice for fellow foodies and novices on her blog, fleurdelolly.blogspot.com for more than eight years. You can contact her at facebook.com/ fleurde.lolly.5, on Instagram and fleurdelolly@yahoo.com.
Air fryer bacon-wrapped popcorn shrimp
You can use either fresh or frozen shrimp for this recipe. However, thin-sliced bacon will work much better with the smaller shrimp. Because shrimp will be different sizes even if they’re labeled small, I suggest purchasing a pound of thin-sliced bacon, using what you need for the
shrimp, and enjoying the remainder for breakfast the following day.
1 pound small shrimp, shelled and deveined, fresh or frozen
1 pound bacon, slices cut into thirds
Sea salt 1⁄2 1⁄2 1⁄2 teaspoon granulated garlic
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
Preheat the air fryer to 390 degrees.
Peel and devein shrimp. Lightly season the shrimp with sea salt and sprinkle with granulated garlic.
Wrap a bacon piece around each shrimp and place it on the air fryer tray or fryer basket seam, side down. Be especially careful not to overlap the bacon or allow the shrimp to touch each other. The hot air needs to be able to circulate around the shrimp. Depending on how many shrimp you have, you may need to cook in batches.
Cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until bacon is fully cooked. Repeat with remaining shrimp if necessary. Serve immediately and garnish with chopped parsley.
If you’re like me and always want/need a dipping sauce, here’s my version of cocktail sauce. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Dipping sauce
cup chili sauce cup ketchup 3 tablespoons prepared horseradish 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice 1⁄2 1⁄4 1⁄2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce teaspoon hot sauce
If you’re not a fan of cocktail sauce, another idea would be to brush with your favorite barbecue sauce when there is a minute remaining to cook.
Air fryer crab cakes with remoulade sauce
Even though we naturally think of crab cakes as a main dish item, they appear on many restaurant menus as an appetizer selection. I love to make these for a light lunch or dinner. With the air fryer, there’s no mess from pan-frying on the stovetop, plus no added calories from the oil.
1 egg, lightly beaten 2 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 to 11⁄2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
Few grinds of black pepper 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley 3 tablespoons panko breadcrumbs 8 oz. lump crab claw meat
In a small bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Gently fold in crab meat. Divide mixture into four parts and shape into crab cakes. Place on a plate and refrigerate for 45 minutes or so.
Preheat the air fryer at 400 degrees. Whichever your air fryer has, a basket or racks, lightly spray with olive oil cooking spray. Carefully place the crab cakes into the air fryer basket or onto the trays. Air fry for 12 to 14 minutes, or until the cakes are golden brown and crispy.
I shared this recipe for Remolaude Sauce a few weeks ago, but here it is again. It’s the perfect accompaniment for crab cakes!
Remolaude sauce
1⁄2 1⁄2 1⁄4 1⁄4 1⁄4 cup dill pickle relish, drained cup mayonnaise cup diced yellow onion cup diced celery cup diced red bell pepper 1⁄4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 3 tablespoons ketchup 3 tablespoons yellow mustard 2 tablespoons minced garlic 2 tablespoons Creole mustard
1 to 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 3 dashes of hot sauce (more or less)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Process all ingredients in a food processor for 30 to 40 seconds or until finely chopped. Serve immediately or chilled. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
ACROSS
1 Doorbell sound
6 Baseball’s Ty
10 Can’t stand
11 Camp craft
12 Aids in crime
13 Hunter in the stars
14 Old Italian coin
15 Whatever person
16 Greek vowel
17 Epitome of
easiness
18 Tennis need
19 Rats
22 Bulls or Bears
23 Sunrise site
26 Some snakes
29 Georgia airport
code
32 Maiden name label
33 Yoga need
34 Insect section
36 Take the bus
37 Song bit
38 Cruise ship
39 Church replies
40 Once more
41 Dispatch
42 Rural sights
DOWN
1 Alpine home
2 Animal’s area
3 Repeat
4 Self-referential
5 Snaky shape
6 Grant of films 7 Leek’s cousin
8 Trailblazer Daniel
9 “John Brown’s
Body” poet
11 Real
15 Presidential
nickname
17 Annual books
20 Road gunk
21 Mineo of movies
24 Discussion group © 2021 KING FEATURES SYNDICATE, INC.
25 Car price reducer
27 Cowboy
nickname
28 Boat backs
29 Travel aid
30 Cook’s mint
31 “Two Women”
star
35 Orange cover
36 Latvia’s capital
38 Research site
ACROSS
1 West German
capital, once
5 Silent assent
8 Online birthday
greeting
13 Wicked, as instincts
14 Kitchenware brand
15 Key without sharps
or flats
16 Patron of stone
bridge builders?
18 Win-win
19 Most narcissistic
21 “Oh, really?”
22 Most favorably
25 Patron of
dermatologists?
27 Scary sound
28 Incoming flight info
30 Country in a Springsteen title, briefly
31 Pittsburgh-tobaltimore dir.
32 Popcorn accompaniment, often
34 Omelet ingredient
36 Mini-___ (small
stores)
38 “Thanks a million for all that help,” and a theme hint
42 Goalies’ face
coverings
44 Slide down the
slopes
45 Game cubes
48 Trojans of the
NCAA
49 Nonverbal communication, for short? 52 What fills a
sleeve
54 Yoga accessory
55 Patron of plane
traffic controllers?
58 Wards off
60 It’s at the end of a
52-Across
61 Freezer
container
63 Yearning (for)
65 Patron of people writing with quill pens?
69 Chocolaty cereal
70 “Science Guy” Bill
71 French money
72 Contract
conditions
73 Stale
74 Gush © 2021 ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION.
DOWN
1 Pellets that are
shot
2 Bit of horse food
3 Hush-hush org.
4 Chutzpah
5 Pitcher’s aim?
6 Farm team
7 Prescribed
amounts
8 Moody music
genre
9 Tennis star Marin whose surname is a palindrome
10 “Later, maybe?”
11 Most optimistic
12 Gets ready to go
out, maybe
15 Those opposed
17 24 cans of beer,
often
20 Disco ___ (“The Simpsons” character)
22 Muscles below
pecs
23 Also
24 Alternative to a
metal detector
26 Novelist Hoag
29 Get older
33 Totally fine
35 Accelerator,
informally
37 Also
39 One may rate an
app
40 Reggae relative
41 Hung out?
42 Circle’s center, in a variation of duck, duck, goose
43 Actor/dancer
Fred
46 Hot Wheels toy
47 Visitors from afar,
briefly
50 Gulps from a flask
51 D.C. fundraising
org.
53 Unkind
56 It might get lost in
translation
57 Binary type of
question
59 Little ones
62 Texter’s signoff
64 They’re saved on
cellphones: Abbr.
66 Lightweight
boxer?
67 Metallic resource
68 Haul from behind