NASCAR to cut purses 10%

Seems that even the big boys are feeling the pinch.

From ESPN: http://tinyurl.com/ydy8j6y

So, I wonder if Jimmie and Dale will gather up all the other racers and
boycott NASCAR.

D'oh! Ok - that wasn't fair, and I'm friends with many who were on the other side of that debate, but we're going to have to agree to disagree.

That said, as much as I don't think it will happen - I think local purses need to go UP, especially at the back of the fields.

Knoxville Raceway YouTube Contest

YouTube Video Contest: Tell us why you're Knoxville Raceway's biggest fan
and win a pair of 2010 Knoxville Raceway season tickets!

In celebration of our 50th Anniversary, Knoxville Raceway is giving away a
pair of 2010 season tickets to one lucky winner, along with four runners up
prizes, including a limited edition Raceopoly board game and Nationals
Anniversary Cap. All you have to do is create a video response to the
Knoxville Raceway YouTube Video Contest announcement video telling us why
you're Knoxville Raceway's biggest fan and deserve the win a pair of 2010
Knoxville Raceway season tickets.

For full details visit Knoxville's site:

http://knoxvilleraceway.com/YouTubeContest.aspx

 

Wavelink Raceway Park For Sale

Kind of old news, but it's a sign of the times.

Here's the listing on Home Real Estate's site:
http://tinyurl.com/yak3jvd

Guys, for $748,000 it isn't going to be bought to keep racing. Too much
money for too little return. This property is being sold for commercial use
with the advantages being near a high-traffic area and a junction of two
major routes.

The days of the track are numbered. The end is coming.

It's too bad, for years this track was a regular feeder to Eagle's sprint
series and a right entertaining show in itself.

The knee-jerk reaction would be to suggest an infield track at Eagle and run
on Saturdays. Fact is, one could run an entire show with the Mini/Kart
program alone. One more class isn't going to work on a full Saturday
schedule, and if the minis get to race under the bright lights of the big
house, why would they move up?

Given Eagle's stated concern about growing the sprint class, if you were in
their shoes, would you consider constructing an infield mini-sprint track,
to develop the series back into the feeder for your sprint cars - say on a
Friday or Sunday night? Despite the small cars, it would be a big task.
Something to consider...

Revised ASCS Midwest 2010 Schedule

Here's a revised edition of the schedule. Over 20 dates are on tap for just
Midwest region races alone.

The Midwest season opens and closes at I-80 Speedway in a pair of two-day
events. Notable is the June 11 & 12 Eagle Nationals, a co-sanctioned
National/Midwest event paying $5000 to win. It replaces the long-running
World of Outlaws as the signature event at Eagle.

April

9 - Northern Plains/Midwest, I-80 Speedway (Greenwood, NE)

10 - Northern Plains/Midwest, I-80 Speedway (Greenwood, NE)

30 - Midwest, Central Missouri Speedway (Warrensburg, MO)

May

1 - Midwest, Lucas Oil Speedway (Wheatland, MO)

27 - Midwest, I-80 Speedway (Greenwood, NE)

28 - Midwest, Junction Motor Speedway (McCool Junction, NE)

June

11 - National/Midwest, Eagle Raceway (Eagle, NE)

12 - National/Midwest, Eagle Raceway (Eagle, NE)

18 - Midwest, US 36 Raceway (Cameron, MO)

25 - Northern Plains/Midwest, I-90 Speedway (Hartford, SD)

July

1 - Midwest, Junction Motor Speedway (McCool Junction, NE)

2 - Midwest, I-80 Speedway (Greenwood, NE)

9 - National/Northern Plains/Midwest, Spencer County Speedway (Spencer, IA)

10 - National/Northern Plains/Midwest, I-90 Speedway (Hartford, SD)

16 - Midwest, US 36 Raceway (Cameron, MO)

23 - Northern Plains/Midwest, I-90 Speedway (Hartford, SD)

August

5 - National, Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, IA)

6 - National, Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, IA)

7 - National, Knoxville Raceway (Knoxville, IA)

27 - Midwest, US 36 Raceway (Cameron, MO)

September

3 - Midwest, I-80 Speedway (Greenwood, NE)

10 - Midwest, Central Missouri Speedway (Warrensburg, MO)

11 - Midwest, Butler County Motorplex (Rising City, NE)

12 - Midwest, Eagle Raceway (Eagle, NE)

24 - Midwest, I-80 Speedway (Greenwood, NE)

25 - Midwest, I-80 Speedway (Greenwood, NE)

Twisted Logic

The most expensive part of racing a car is...racing it. In a recent IMCA press release, it was noted that there were 20 shows on tap, at one track, for an economy class this year. The ASCS Midwest series has the potential for over 20 shows this season.

One has to wonder: are we asking too much of the racers? Are we asking for too much fuel money, too much tire money, too much money to fix broken parts? This says nothing of their time? For nearly half the year, the racer is wrapped up in maintenance of the car.

In the course of 10, 20 years, we've expanded from a May-August schedule out to April-September, and even March and October specials mixed in to that.

Promoters are demanding a lot from the racers and the fans. Are they not essentially tacking on an additional 25% expense by expanding the season the same amount? The fact is even friends and family are not making EVERY show. I'm sure you're the exception and will be there hell or high water.

I'm as die hard as you and maybe more so. Fact is, I made it to...75% of the races I could reasonably expect to attend in terms of distance, money, desire to watch, etc.

So if you have the backgate/same cast of family in the stands - you're diluting your weekly crowd because eventually the schedule is so long, it will run into days where that die-hard fan just can't go. You now have to find more fans to fill those gaps and we see how well some tracks try to get in more fans...lengthen the show.

Why, for all the years of modern economic theory are these people ignoring simple laws of supply and demand ? Why when they complain of dwindling crowds, and dwindling car counts (add another class) do they then INCREASE supply? It makes no sense.

Here's a question: are classes growing because there are more racers or are they growing as racers move from one class to another? Pretty soon one runs out of classes to add.

I suppose demanding a dwindling supply of teams to show up to more and more shows, while paying them less and less is the answer.

If that's the case, thank God I don't understand the question.

More Joe Orth Chili Bowl pics

Joe sent me the final batch Sunday.

Check 'em out here (same gallery as before, I just added the tinyURL link to
prevent cutting off the link address).

http://tinyurl.com/yct8yet

Chili Bowl photos by Joe Orth

(Updated 1-15-09)

Joe Orth sent a few photos from the Chili Bowl. I'll continue to update this gallery as he sends more so check back.


Check 'em out here:


Joe Orth Chili Bowl photos

2010 Eagle Nationals and TBJ Promotions

TBJ Promotions, the company headed by sprint driver Tony Bruce Jr., and
promoting the 2010 Eagle Nationals has announced their new site and now has
tickets available for purchase on site.

According to the site, the race will be telecast on the Versus cable network
for a later airing.

In addition to the Eagle Nationals, TBJ Promotions is promoting the Steve
King Memorial in Jetmore, KS and the Rock & Roll 50 in W. Memphis, AR.

From the site:

On June 11th and 12th the series will travel to the Eagle Raceway in
Eagle, Nebraska for the Eagle Nationals. This will mark the first visit by
the American Sprint Car Series National Tour to the track known as the
"World's Fastest Third Mile." Located just east of Lincoln, Nebraska, the
track is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful facilities in
all of racing. The Eagle Nationals has been a fixture at Eagle Raceway since
1981 as a 410ci event with the World of Outlaws. However, starting in 2010,
the Eagle Nationals will feature the American Sprint Car Series and will
move to a two-day event. With a strong contingent of local racers lead by
perennial track champion Mike Boston, you can expect a heated battle to win
the trophy in the land of the Huskers.  

For more info, visit www.tbjpromotions.com

Looking the part and showing some respect

We're nearing the end of awards banquet season and plenty of pictures of the old "grip-and-grin," with the promoters, owners, etc. smiling handing over the check, trophy, or both finding their ways around the internet.

One thing that got my attention though is how many people look like they just came off of the track.

Guys, your cleanest racing t-shirt is inappropriate attire for any awards banquet. I noticed a photo from one major sanctioning series, and the winner was holding a check for...over $50,000, while his cohorts were dressed in their 'racetrack best," some racing t-shirts, some with the MMA/Ed Hardy wannabe look, etc.

A pair of cheap dress pants cost $30. I'm not talking Armani here. Everyone at least needs that for any occasion when someone's getting married or buried. Eagle says no t-shirt and jeans. I like that. The IMCA banquet requires the champs to wear tuxedos. That might be a little much for a weekly program, but I like the sentiment. I'm not talking about "bar" dressed up, I'm talking about something befitting a banquet. Regardless of how much booze is served afterward, they are two different things.

The same thing applies to the victory lane photos. Yeah, it's hot and it's dirty, but when you come down after the race, at least look decent from the waist up. Wear the suit at least when you come back down. Zip it up. I know IMCA wants the suits (with their sponsor logos) on each photo. The track wouldn't mind it either.

This isn't about being "better than someone," or snobbery, it's about showing a little respect - that you could at least make a little effort to stand out from the pack.

Do this for you, do it for your sponsors and do it for the sport. Dirt track racing already has to fight its image when competing for money against the more "glamourous" stick and ball sports and other entertainment. Don't contribute to the stereotype.

Dollars have to come from outside the "family" now. They can't just go to the usual, auto related businesses. When a track owner is looking for sponsors, you can bet those people are looking at the websites, with the pictures. How would you spend your money if you think it's going to some greaseball? I'm sorry to be so harsh, but I can tell you when I had to hunt down sponsors and sit in on the meetings that was a regular topic of conversation.

Back when I was traveling in the 90's, the talk came up about getting sponsors. One of the top drivers on the circuit said, "I don't understand why a guy goes to a business, with hat in hand asking for money, and that hat is the greasy piece of s**t they wear at the track?"

Now, I'm never going to be penning fashion tips for GQ or Esquire but if anyone is handing me a $50,000 check I'm wearing a suit. At least I'm not going in t-shirt and jeans.

You can talk all you want about how people shouldn't be so shallow. But guess what, they are. Idealism and reality are often two very different things.

Again, it's not about being antiseptic - we all know it's a dirt track. It's about showing effort and respect. You'll benefit from it and the sport will too.

Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods new at Eagle this season

Though we've known this, it's "official" now.

- - - - -

EAGLE, Neb. (Jan. 6) - What promoter Roger Hadan described as an "up
and coming class" will join Saturday night programs at Eagle Raceway
this season.

Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods become the fourth IMCA sanctioned
division to run at the 1/3-mile clay oval, joining the Modifieds,
Hobby Stocks and Sport Compacts.

"I think our car count will be very good the first season," Hadan
said. "I've been getting a lot of calls from drivers and I think
Eagle will be a Saturday stop for drivers racing Friday at Beatrice
Speedway or Butler County Motorplex."

The tentative 2010 schedule at Eagle totes 20 national, state and
local track point races for Northern SportMods.

"This is a very economical class. Drivers can take a used chassis and
a Hobby Stock motor and be competitive without spending Modified-type
money," said Hadan. "It's a good class for them to learn in before
they take the next step up."

Eagle is the longest tenured IMCA Modified track in Nebraska, having
sanctioned the class since 1985. IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stocks joined
weekly programs in 2006 and the Mach-1 Sport Compacts were added in
2007.

Those three classes are on the card for the Ice Breaker special on
April 10. The regular season starts the following week.

Final IMCA point races will be Aug. 28.

Parker to end racing operations

Jason: This is a real bummer for racing in the Nebraska area and personally.
Dennis has been part of the Midwest/Eagle 360 scene since its inception and
one of the best persons I've met in the racing scene. The familiar #3 will
be sorely missed.

- - -

From Dennis Parker Racing

It is with a long and hard thought process that as of 1/06/10 Dennis Parker
Racing will no longer be racing.

Due to cost factors, and many other reasons we will not be fielding a sprint
car in the 2010 racing season or anytime soon, therefore everything sprint
car related is for sale.

This has been a hard decision as I have raced in some kind of capacity since
1974.

I will genuinely miss racing as an owner and previous driver.

If anyone wants any parts I have a lot of good parts left to sale, just
e-mail or call me. For a list or simply come and look for what you need!

Dennis Parker
Sprintracer3@aol.com
402-677-3757

2010 Wish List

As I usually do somewhere around this time, here's my wish list for 2010.


Personally:

- Make it to more races outside of Eagle. That's a given and I plan on making Eagle less than 50% of my total outings. My goal is to follow the ASCS Midwest series this year. I also plan on hitting some Modified events and would like to make a few Late Model races this season as well. When not hitting an ASCS race that week, I plan on getting out to the other tracks in the area.

- More interviews with and more up-close photos of the people involved in the sport. Trust me there will be plenty of track action photos.

Getting to my wishes for the tracks:

- The WoO show is a success at Junction Motor Speedway. Sprint cars have had a unique place in Nebraska auto racing history and it would be a shame to be without what is still the nation's top series making an annual stop in the state. I understand Eagle deciding to pass this year. But a bar has been set - in terms of fan accommodations and in many cases competition on the track, aided by an aggressive promoter during the 35-40 cars heydays of the early 2000's. The on-track action with the Outlaws was arguably I-80's biggest failing under a long-gone management regime, far removed from the current group. Yes, there were some less than memorable shows at Eagle as I've said in previous pieces, but there were more very good shows, especially when the track got just a little dry. In the first half of the decade after a hotly-contested dash, Brad Doty exclaimed, "That's why these races need to be on bullrings!" JMS certainly has the facilities, will the show match on the big track? I hope it does - it can be done. A good car count will go a long way. The question is where the cars come from and how hard will the promoters work to get them?

- Tracks go to the use of one-way radios. Midget racing has been using them for several years, as has the ASCS. Most use what's called a "Raceceiver," essentially a pager-sized, $100 scanner that with form-fitting earphones. It greatly speeds up communication between officials and drivers, eliminating the need for confusing hand signals, saves fuel, is a safety device on the track, and is a relatively low-cost, RE-USABLE piece of equipment. It's 2010 people - we don't have flying cars, but we can get with the program. If places insist on running 5+ classes, at least speed up the show. If $100 is that big a deal to someone who will get probably years out of them, then rent them - it's a money maker for the track, or let go with a payment plan. The other piece is that unlike transponders, these items are nearly universal and can be used at most any track. It amazes me how many people will complain about $100 of useful equipment but spend hundreds, thousands on graphics and wraps that get trashed in the first wreck.

- Again, since class counts seem to be going up, track owners need to do their fans and frankly other racers a favor and do what they can to speed up shows. Examples:

• The aforementioned one-way radios and transponders (along with the proper training to run them)
• Lone Ranger rules: spinout or stop by yourself in a heat or B and bring out the yellow, you're done.
  
• Time limits. There is no reason to run any race one hour. Period. Done. With the exception of red flags, and even then...you'll have a hard time making me think otherwise. I've always thought "a minute a lap, stop the clock on a red" was a good starting point. And, that includes heats. I've seen this at Eagle and elsewhere for the heats: if enough cars drop out that nobody can better their A feature starting position regardless of finish, they throw the checkered right there.
  
• While I'd like to see pit stops ended forever, that won't happen. But...how about a time limit on that and perhaps a number of times a car can pit? C'mon, one pit stop is enough.  
• Intermissions of 15 minutes or less. If you can't sell beer or concessions fast enough, improve your selling (hawkers in the stands, separate beer-only stands, expand your concession area, hire another person).
  
• Starting on time and moving through the show quickly. Lineups need to be ready, and cars for the next race need to be staged - not waiting in the pits. 
• ONE race director, ONE set of rules and follow them. Many times when I've been to shows where the program took too long, I often heard officials arguing with each other and debating the rules over track rules, thus chewing time often while cars are burning fuel on the track. While I believe in democracy, I think auto racing is best governed by a dictator. See NASCAR, F1, etc.
  

I've said enough. Happy birthday to this site and such.

- Jason