From I-80 Speedway
The I-80 Speedway near Greenwood, Nebraska has released its exciting 2013 racing schedule which should include something for everybody. Highlighting the schedule will be the Third Annual Silver Dollar Nationals from July 18 thru 20. The Lucas Oil/MLRA co-sanctioned Super Late Model 80 lap feature will pay $27,000 to win and $1,300 to start. The USMTS returns to run as a companion class on July 18 & 20 with two complete Central Region races.
Returning to I-80 for the first time in several years will be the SLS promoted World of Outlaws on Sunday, June 9. An interesting shift on the schedule is the moving of the annual Alphabet Soup race to Friday, June 28 so that it does not conflict with the Show-Me 100. In its place on Sunday, May 26 will be perhaps one of the most interesting evenings of the year at I-80, the Charlie Clark Memorial.
But this year's Charlie Clark Memorial should have added fireworks. First, the SLMR will be running a special $2,022 to win, $2,222 for second, etc. program. But that's not all. While the traditional 44 lap A mod feature with a five minute break at 22 laps has been retained, this year, both 22 lap segments of the A Mod feature will pay $2,022 to win. In addition, during the break the top 22 finishers in the first segment will be reversed, with the winner of the first segment starting 22nd.
Other special events at I-80 include; the season opening Spring Meltdown on April 5 & 6 featuring the ASCS Midwest Sprint Cars, MLRA/CBC Late Models, A Mods and B Mods, the Bugeater Bash on April 12 & 13, the ASCS National Sprint Cars come calling at I-80 on Thursday, May. The USMTS will return on Sunday, August 11 with a Chase for the Casey's Cup Race. The exciting Midwest Fall Brawl will return to I-80 on September 20 & 21 with the SLMR joining the action on September 21. Finally, the traditional Cornhusker Classic will bring the season to a close on October 11, 12 & 13.
As always there will be the NASCAR Whelen All-American Racing Series featuring six NASCAR classes including; Super Late Models, A Mods, B Mods, Grand Nationals, ProAm/Stock Cars & Hornets.
April
Fri 5 SPRING MELTDOWN, MLRA/CBC, ASCS Midwest Sprints, Non Sanctioned
B Mods 7:15
Sat 6 SPRING MELTDOWN, MLRA/CBC, ASCS Midwest Sprints, Non Sanctioned
A Mods 5:55
Fri 12 BUGEATER BASH, Non Sanctioned A Mods, B Mods, Grand Nationals,
Pro Ams, Hobby Stocks, Hornets 7:15
Sat 13 BUGEATER BASH, Non Sanctioned A Mods, B Mods, Grand Nationals,
Pro Ams, Hobby Stocks, Hornets 5:55
Fri 27 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series 7:15
May
Fri 3 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series 7:15
Fri 10 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series 7:15
Fri 17 No Races
Thu 23 ASCS NATIONAL SPRINT CARS, Sanctioned NASCAR Super Late Models,
B Mods and Hornets 7:15
Sun 26 CHARLIE CLARK MEMORIAL, Non Sanctioned A Mods, B Mods & Hobby Stocks
Plus SLMR 5:55 pm
Fri 31 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series 7:15
June
Fri 7 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series 7:15
Sun 9 SLS Promotions Presents the World of Outlaws Sprint Cars, Unsanctioned
B Mods 7:00 Qualifying
Fri 14 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series 7:15
Fri 21 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series 7:15
Fri 28 ALPHABET SOUP RACE, MLRA/CBC/MARS, Non Sanctioned A Mods, B Mods &
Hornets 7:15
July
Fri 5 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series 7:15
Fri 12 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series 7:15
Thu 18 SLMR/CDM, Nebraska 360 Sprints & Unsanctioned B Mods. SILVER
DOLLAR NATIONAL PRACTICE 7:15`
Fri 19 SILVER DOLLAR NATIONALS-LUCAS OIL/MLRA, USMTS Central
Region 8 pm
Sat 20 SILVER DOLLAR NATIONALS-LUCAS OIL/MLRA, USMTS Central Region 8pm
Fri 26 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series 7:15
August
Fri 2 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series 7:15
Sun 11 USMTS Hunt for the Casey's Cup, Unsanctioned B Mods, Hobby Stocks &
Hornets 5:55
Fri 16 NASCAR Weekly Racing Series 7:15
September
Sun 1 ALLSTAR CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY, NASCAR Weekly Racing Series,
Plus SLMR & Nebraska 360 Sprints 5:55
Fri 20 MIDWEST FALL BRAWL, ASCS Midwest Sprints, Non Sanctioned B Mods,
Grand Nationals 7:15
Sat 21 MIDWEST FALL BRAWL, ASCS Midwest Sprints, SLMR & GOTRA 7:15
October
Fri 11 CORNHUSKER CLASSIC, Non Sanctioned Complete Show with features 7:15
Sat 12 CORNHUSKER CLASSIC, SLMR, Non Sanctioned Complete Show with features
5:55
Sun 13 CORNHUSKER CLASSIC, SLMR, Non Sanctioned Complete Show with Features
5:55
Friday, December 14, 2012
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
ASCS 2013 Midwest Region Schedule
The American Sprint Car Series - Midwest Region - released their tentative 2013 schedule. This year's schedule is less aggressive than year's past, with only 12 events. Most races will take place at I-80 Speedway and Junction Motor Speedway with Corning, IA and Fairmont Raceway in Minnesota making an appearance. Gone are the Missouri races, but there are 3 combined MW/National Tour races on the schedule.
I wouldn't be surprised to see a race added and another fall off - as often happens. I'd also be curious to see if the newly-reopened Butler County Speedway makes an appearance on the schedule, as well as any other events with the former Eagle Raceway 360 sprints.
Either way, it's good for fans of 360 sprints at Eagle as they'll have several places to see the class after being dropped by Eagle. And, it's good to see that the two premier events on the schedule are making a return at Eagle.
I would argue that this makes for a good, manageable travel schedule for the sprint fan on a budget. A few roadtrips could add some spice, and one weekend a month (save for September) doesn't hurt.
APRIL
(Opening Weekend Double-header)
5 - FRIDAY * I-80 SPEEDWAY - GREENWOOD, NE * Midwest Regional
6 - SATURDAY * I-80 SPEEDWAY - GREENWOOD, NE * Midwest Regional
MAY
(Memorial Weekend Double-header)
23 - THURSDAY * I-80 SPEEDWAY - GREENWOOD, NE * National & Midwest Regional
24 - FRIDAY * JUNCTION MOTOR SPEEDWAY - MCCOOL JUNCTION, NE * Midwest Regional
JUNE
(Eagle Nationals)
1 - SATURDAY * EAGLE RACEWAY * EAGLE, NE * National & Midwest Regional
JULY
6 - SATURDAY * I-90 SPEEDWAY * HARTFORD, SD * National & Midwest Regional
AUGUST
30 - FRIDAY * FAIRMONT RACEWAY * FAIRMONT, MN * National & Midwest Regional
SEPTEMBER
(Nebraska Cup Triple-header)
6 - FRIDAY * ADAMS COUNTY SPEEDWAY * CORNING, IA * Midwest Regional
7 - SAT * JUNCTION MOTOR SPEEDWAY - MCCOOL JUNCTION, NE * Midwest Regional
8 - SUNDAY * EAGLE RACEWAY - EAGLE, NE * Midwest Regional * ($5000 to win)
(Fall Brawl featuring the Wild Wing Shoot-Out)
20 - FRIDAY * I-80 SPEEDWAY - GREENWOOD, NE * Midwest Regional
21 - SATURDAY * I-80 SPEEDWAY - GREENWOOD, NE * Midwest Regional
I wouldn't be surprised to see a race added and another fall off - as often happens. I'd also be curious to see if the newly-reopened Butler County Speedway makes an appearance on the schedule, as well as any other events with the former Eagle Raceway 360 sprints.
Either way, it's good for fans of 360 sprints at Eagle as they'll have several places to see the class after being dropped by Eagle. And, it's good to see that the two premier events on the schedule are making a return at Eagle.
I would argue that this makes for a good, manageable travel schedule for the sprint fan on a budget. A few roadtrips could add some spice, and one weekend a month (save for September) doesn't hurt.
APRIL
(Opening Weekend Double-header)
5 - FRIDAY * I-80 SPEEDWAY - GREENWOOD, NE * Midwest Regional
6 - SATURDAY * I-80 SPEEDWAY - GREENWOOD, NE * Midwest Regional
MAY
(Memorial Weekend Double-header)
23 - THURSDAY * I-80 SPEEDWAY - GREENWOOD, NE * National & Midwest Regional
24 - FRIDAY * JUNCTION MOTOR SPEEDWAY - MCCOOL JUNCTION, NE * Midwest Regional
JUNE
(Eagle Nationals)
1 - SATURDAY * EAGLE RACEWAY * EAGLE, NE * National & Midwest Regional
JULY
6 - SATURDAY * I-90 SPEEDWAY * HARTFORD, SD * National & Midwest Regional
AUGUST
30 - FRIDAY * FAIRMONT RACEWAY * FAIRMONT, MN * National & Midwest Regional
SEPTEMBER
(Nebraska Cup Triple-header)
6 - FRIDAY * ADAMS COUNTY SPEEDWAY * CORNING, IA * Midwest Regional
7 - SAT * JUNCTION MOTOR SPEEDWAY - MCCOOL JUNCTION, NE * Midwest Regional
8 - SUNDAY * EAGLE RACEWAY - EAGLE, NE * Midwest Regional * ($5000 to win)
(Fall Brawl featuring the Wild Wing Shoot-Out)
20 - FRIDAY * I-80 SPEEDWAY - GREENWOOD, NE * Midwest Regional
21 - SATURDAY * I-80 SPEEDWAY - GREENWOOD, NE * Midwest Regional
Friday, November 09, 2012
Thoughts on the Eagle RaceSaver Sprint Meeting
I wanted to, but was unable to attend the RaceSaver meeting this past weekend, but Eagle Raceway did a good job of summarizing the events, enough for me to draw an opinion.
- Surprised to see the 360’s running restricted motors not being able to run for track points. I totally understand regional/national IMCA points, but I think that participation may be improved if they could run for a title. On the other hand, there would be a lot of red faces if a restricted 360 won the track title.
- The purse structure is a lot more egalitarian, and I like that. I’ve argued for this before, and I think it will help reduce some of the mid-season broke grumbles.
- Here’s one thing that surprised me...in light of our recent presidential election, I noticed that some of the more vocal people in favor of limited government, and vehemently against various “redistribution” plans seem to have no problem demanding that “The Man,” in this case the promoter of a certain track should be forking out more of his money for their hobby. Capitalism for the racer’s wallet...socialism for the promoter’s? Regardless of one's political views, the contradiction is obvious.
Now, it’s been that way forever in all forms of racing, but don’t discount the role of self-interest in the demise of the 360’s at Eagle, and CART, IMCA, and IndyCAR (well, not yet), etc. etc.
- To the point above, the racer and promoter are in two different situations, at least when the track is privately owned. If you can’t afford to race, you don’t go. If the owner can’t pay the bills, there’s no track. The racer has more flexibility. Oh, and if you have to race to pay the bills to get the car going...that’s your problem, not the track’s.
- Eagle’s running a two-day IMCA RaceSaver Nationals at the end of the season, my guess is it replaces the Nebraska Cup. (Update: Eagle Raceway has the Nebraska Cup - for 360 sprints - on schedule for 9/8/13.) If you can tie this in pre- or post- Boone Supernationals, and if just 10% of the alleged 600 RaceSaver sprints show up, you could have a back-gate bonanza. My preference would be for the week after Knoxville, prior to football season, if possible. (RaceSaver Nationals are tentatively scheduled for 8/31 and 9/1 2013, likely replacing the Labor Day Shootout)
- I do like the fact that Eagle stated the sprints will be the ‘featured class.’ I think it’s good to establish the pecking order of this class, and leave no doubt as to where they are going forward.
“Where was Roger before?!?!” He was there for seven seasons. OK, six and a half since after July, the 360’s were a ‘dead class rolling.’ If it can’t work after that time, when does it work? The point of diminishing returns had been met. The biggest killer was the economy, and if Roger was able to bring back the jobs and credit that supported this expensive class all these years, he would be president. He’s not. He’s a business owner of a racetrack. That’s all.
Tuesday, November 06, 2012
Eagle Raceway: Notes from the RaceSaver Sprint Meeting
From Eagle Raceway
Sunday, November 4, 2012
- There will be at least 2 practice dates before the first show for Racesaver Sprints only... More may be added. The 2 dates that we have reserved as of now for this are Saturday, April 6, 2013, and Saturday, April 13, 2013.
- Purse Structure: The same total purse that was given to the 360 sprints in 2012 will be given to the RaceSaver Sprints in 2013, except it will be distributed more evenly. The purse will be guaranteed for 2 years. Non-qualifiers will receive $100. To view the new purse structure, please visit the rules section of our (Eagle Raceway's) website: (click here to view) http://www.eagleraceway.com/EagleRaceway/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/2013-rules2.pdf
- Point Fund- There is a minimum $5000 point fund in place already. There will also be a point fund from IMCA.
- There will be 17 weekly races in 2013 at Eagle Raceway
- IMCA RaceSaver Nationals will be held at Eagle Raceway at the end of the season in 2013. It will be a Saturday and Sunday Show. The purse for this is not designed yet.
- You must have an IMCA membership License to race. Cost of Membership- $100. This provides insurance, monthly newsletter, and track points fund.
- There will be a phase in period for 360s. Anyone not conforming to the RaceSaver Rules may run their car at Eagle Raceway for purse ONLY, as long as they put a "track provided" 1 and 1/16 restrictor on top of stacks and use RaceSaver legal Valve Springs. (This may change if it is not equal competition)
- To Run for track, regional, and national points, you must conform to all IMCA RaceSaver Rules. The Phase in cars for 2013 will not receive IMCA points. They will only receive track points for lineup procedures.
- Sprints will be the premier class in 2013. They will run last for heats, and Features. We want all sprint drivers to be recognized by face. There will be many driver autograph sessions, and other things done for all Sprint drivers to interact with the crowd weekly.
- There will be possible sanctioning at other tracks for special events.
Q and A with French Grimes (RaceSaver Rep)
Can you run any size wing/ wing angle?
You may run any size wing, at any angle... However it will not be cockpit adjustable.
Why 35 durometer RR tire?
Regional director or Track director may pick the tire... Tracks should decide based on surface etc... (Roger is doing more research... The Tire durometer will probably change)
How do you go about getting engine sealed? When do you do it? Where etc...?
Your regional RaceSaver Tech will seal your engine (Roger Hadan is this Region's Tech) You must call your regional inspector to make an arrangement to do so. Roger Hadan's phone number is 402-238-2595 if you need to make an arrangement.
The Engine must be sealed before the your first race. Try to get the crank weighed ahead of time by inspector before you build so that the tech can make his mark on it if the crank is close to minimum weight.
Engine will be presented with 1 head off. Valves will be weighed. Heads will be checked for RaceSaver Stamp and serial numbers and all other inspections will be done before it is sealed.
Then the cars will be teched weekly at the track's discretion.
These are the notes I thought were important. If you have any notes you would like to add to this that you took from the meeting. Please feel free to post below. Also If you have any other questions about RaceSaver rules etc. French Grimes or Roger Hadan can answer them.
Roger- 402-238-2595
French- 540-923-4541
Sunday, November 4, 2012
- There will be at least 2 practice dates before the first show for Racesaver Sprints only... More may be added. The 2 dates that we have reserved as of now for this are Saturday, April 6, 2013, and Saturday, April 13, 2013.
- Purse Structure: The same total purse that was given to the 360 sprints in 2012 will be given to the RaceSaver Sprints in 2013, except it will be distributed more evenly. The purse will be guaranteed for 2 years. Non-qualifiers will receive $100. To view the new purse structure, please visit the rules section of our (Eagle Raceway's) website: (click here to view) http://www.eagleraceway.com/EagleRaceway/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/2013-rules2.pdf
- Point Fund- There is a minimum $5000 point fund in place already. There will also be a point fund from IMCA.
- There will be 17 weekly races in 2013 at Eagle Raceway
- IMCA RaceSaver Nationals will be held at Eagle Raceway at the end of the season in 2013. It will be a Saturday and Sunday Show. The purse for this is not designed yet.
- You must have an IMCA membership License to race. Cost of Membership- $100. This provides insurance, monthly newsletter, and track points fund.
- There will be a phase in period for 360s. Anyone not conforming to the RaceSaver Rules may run their car at Eagle Raceway for purse ONLY, as long as they put a "track provided" 1 and 1/16 restrictor on top of stacks and use RaceSaver legal Valve Springs. (This may change if it is not equal competition)
- To Run for track, regional, and national points, you must conform to all IMCA RaceSaver Rules. The Phase in cars for 2013 will not receive IMCA points. They will only receive track points for lineup procedures.
- Sprints will be the premier class in 2013. They will run last for heats, and Features. We want all sprint drivers to be recognized by face. There will be many driver autograph sessions, and other things done for all Sprint drivers to interact with the crowd weekly.
- There will be possible sanctioning at other tracks for special events.
Q and A with French Grimes (RaceSaver Rep)
Can you run any size wing/ wing angle?
You may run any size wing, at any angle... However it will not be cockpit adjustable.
Why 35 durometer RR tire?
Regional director or Track director may pick the tire... Tracks should decide based on surface etc... (Roger is doing more research... The Tire durometer will probably change)
How do you go about getting engine sealed? When do you do it? Where etc...?
Your regional RaceSaver Tech will seal your engine (Roger Hadan is this Region's Tech) You must call your regional inspector to make an arrangement to do so. Roger Hadan's phone number is 402-238-2595 if you need to make an arrangement.
The Engine must be sealed before the your first race. Try to get the crank weighed ahead of time by inspector before you build so that the tech can make his mark on it if the crank is close to minimum weight.
Engine will be presented with 1 head off. Valves will be weighed. Heads will be checked for RaceSaver Stamp and serial numbers and all other inspections will be done before it is sealed.
Then the cars will be teched weekly at the track's discretion.
These are the notes I thought were important. If you have any notes you would like to add to this that you took from the meeting. Please feel free to post below. Also If you have any other questions about RaceSaver rules etc. French Grimes or Roger Hadan can answer them.
Roger- 402-238-2595
French- 540-923-4541
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Contingencies For Midwest Fall Brawl
Via ASCS Midwest
Plenty of Contingencies for the Midwest Fall Brawl
There will be plenty of contingency money at stake at the Midwest Fall Brawl at I-80 Speedway on Friday, September 21 & Saturday, September 22. The ASCS Midwest Sprint Car Series will be closing out its 2012 racing season with complete programs each night paying $2,500 win and $300 to start.
In addition, there will be plenty of contingency awards for the Sprinters. Hot Rod Paintless Dent Repair is paying $1,000 of the $1,400 King of the Hill purse with the winner receiving $500. Hot Rod Paintless Dent Repair is also sponsoring the Hard Charger Award which pays $750 each night. Searsboro Telephone Company has posted $1,200 for a reverse point fund for drivers finishing 6th thru 15th in total points for the two nights, with 6th receiving $60 and 15th receiving $200. Finally, Electrical Systems is paying $300 each night in a Podium Draw.
On Friday night unsanctioned B Mods will join the Sprint Cars with the winner receiving $700. The race will be part of the I-80/Adams County Top Ten Challenge in conjunction with Adams County Speedway's "Tradition" on Saturday, September 22. A reverse point fund has been set up by the two tracks with the driver who finishes first in total points for the two nights receiving $50 and the 10th place driver receiving $200. Starky's Bar & Grill will be paying $250 to the B Mod Hard Charger and Industrial Electric Motors & Total Winding Supplies will pay $200 in a Podium Draw.
On Saturday night, unsanctioned Grand Nationals will be racing for $700 to win. They also have contingencies with Motion Industries paying $250 for the Hard Charger Award and Industrial Electric Motors & Total Winding Supplies paying $200 in a Podium Draw.
The Good Old Time Racing Association (GOTRA) will also be racing on Saturday night. Pits open at 4 pm with Grandstands opening at 5:30 pm and racing at 7:15 pm. Grandstand Admission is $15 per night or you can purchase a two day ticket for $15 if you call (402)-342-3453 thru Monday, September 17. Juniors (6-12) are $5 with 5 and under free. Pit Passes will be $30. For more information, visit www.i-80speedway.com or call (402)-342-3453.
Plenty of Contingencies for the Midwest Fall Brawl
There will be plenty of contingency money at stake at the Midwest Fall Brawl at I-80 Speedway on Friday, September 21 & Saturday, September 22. The ASCS Midwest Sprint Car Series will be closing out its 2012 racing season with complete programs each night paying $2,500 win and $300 to start.
In addition, there will be plenty of contingency awards for the Sprinters. Hot Rod Paintless Dent Repair is paying $1,000 of the $1,400 King of the Hill purse with the winner receiving $500. Hot Rod Paintless Dent Repair is also sponsoring the Hard Charger Award which pays $750 each night. Searsboro Telephone Company has posted $1,200 for a reverse point fund for drivers finishing 6th thru 15th in total points for the two nights, with 6th receiving $60 and 15th receiving $200. Finally, Electrical Systems is paying $300 each night in a Podium Draw.
On Friday night unsanctioned B Mods will join the Sprint Cars with the winner receiving $700. The race will be part of the I-80/Adams County Top Ten Challenge in conjunction with Adams County Speedway's "Tradition" on Saturday, September 22. A reverse point fund has been set up by the two tracks with the driver who finishes first in total points for the two nights receiving $50 and the 10th place driver receiving $200. Starky's Bar & Grill will be paying $250 to the B Mod Hard Charger and Industrial Electric Motors & Total Winding Supplies will pay $200 in a Podium Draw.
On Saturday night, unsanctioned Grand Nationals will be racing for $700 to win. They also have contingencies with Motion Industries paying $250 for the Hard Charger Award and Industrial Electric Motors & Total Winding Supplies paying $200 in a Podium Draw.
The Good Old Time Racing Association (GOTRA) will also be racing on Saturday night. Pits open at 4 pm with Grandstands opening at 5:30 pm and racing at 7:15 pm. Grandstand Admission is $15 per night or you can purchase a two day ticket for $15 if you call (402)-342-3453 thru Monday, September 17. Juniors (6-12) are $5 with 5 and under free. Pit Passes will be $30. For more information, visit www.i-80speedway.com or call (402)-342-3453.
Midwest Fall Brawl King of the Hill
Via ASCS Midwest
The Midwest Fall Brawl Sprint Car King of the Hill will feature drivers from the top 12 in 2012 season points from the ASCS Midwest, Eagle/Nebraska, Knoxville Raceway (both 360 or 410's as one category) and Invaders (those drivers who are not in the top 12 in any of the above standings). Each night the highest finishing driver in the feature from those four categories will advance to the King of the Hill. If Friday should rain out, we will take the top two in each category from Saturday nights feature to the King of the Hill. Top 12 in each category are listed below:
All drivers not included in the above lists are considered Invaders
Several drivers are on the list for both the ASCS Midwest and another category. The ASCS Midwest Region selection is chosen first. If a driver on more than one list qualifies, he must take the ASCS Midwest selection first. (ie. If Trevor Grossenbacher were to win on Friday night, he would be an ASCS representative, even though he is higher in Eagle points. If Jordan Boston were to win the race then he would be the ASCS Midwest Representative and if Grossenbacher finished second he would be the Eagle/Nebraska representative).
The first round will pair the two from ASCS Midwest, then the two from Eagle/Nebraska points, then the two from Knoxville and finally the two Invaders. The second round will feature the ASCS Midwest winner .vs. Eagle/Nebraska winner and then the Knoxville winner .vs. the Invader winner. Then the two winners will meet for the King of the Hill title.
Lane choice in the first round will go to the driver lower in points for each classification. In the second round, Eagle/Nebraska and Knoxville winners will get lane choice and in the final round lane choice will go to the driver who finished the lowest in Saturday night's feature.
The winner of the King of the Hill receives $500, second $200. Drivers eliminated in the second round receive $150 with drivers eliminated in the first round receiving $100.
The Midwest Fall Brawl Sprint Car King of the Hill will feature drivers from the top 12 in 2012 season points from the ASCS Midwest, Eagle/Nebraska, Knoxville Raceway (both 360 or 410's as one category) and Invaders (those drivers who are not in the top 12 in any of the above standings). Each night the highest finishing driver in the feature from those four categories will advance to the King of the Hill. If Friday should rain out, we will take the top two in each category from Saturday nights feature to the King of the Hill. Top 12 in each category are listed below:
All drivers not included in the above lists are considered Invaders
Several drivers are on the list for both the ASCS Midwest and another category. The ASCS Midwest Region selection is chosen first. If a driver on more than one list qualifies, he must take the ASCS Midwest selection first. (ie. If Trevor Grossenbacher were to win on Friday night, he would be an ASCS representative, even though he is higher in Eagle points. If Jordan Boston were to win the race then he would be the ASCS Midwest Representative and if Grossenbacher finished second he would be the Eagle/Nebraska representative).
The first round will pair the two from ASCS Midwest, then the two from Eagle/Nebraska points, then the two from Knoxville and finally the two Invaders. The second round will feature the ASCS Midwest winner .vs. Eagle/Nebraska winner and then the Knoxville winner .vs. the Invader winner. Then the two winners will meet for the King of the Hill title.
Lane choice in the first round will go to the driver lower in points for each classification. In the second round, Eagle/Nebraska and Knoxville winners will get lane choice and in the final round lane choice will go to the driver who finished the lowest in Saturday night's feature.
The winner of the King of the Hill receives $500, second $200. Drivers eliminated in the second round receive $150 with drivers eliminated in the first round receiving $100.
ASCS Midwest Championship Weekend at I-80
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Region
Midwest Fall Brawl Double-Header!
Friday Sept. 21st * Saturday Sept. 22nd
I-80 Speedway * Greenwood, NE
$2500 to win each night!
* $750 Hard Charger Each Night!
* (8) Car King of the Hill $500 to win!
* Special point fund for total points position 6th thru 15th!
* A drawing for a $300 bonus to (1) driver
who finishes 2nd thru 5th each night!
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Championship Weekend
For more info: Call Chuck Zitterich 605-212-2408
Midwest Fall Brawl Double-Header!
Friday Sept. 21st * Saturday Sept. 22nd
I-80 Speedway * Greenwood, NE
$2500 to win each night!
* $750 Hard Charger Each Night!
* (8) Car King of the Hill $500 to win!
* Special point fund for total points position 6th thru 15th!
* A drawing for a $300 bonus to (1) driver
who finishes 2nd thru 5th each night!
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Championship Weekend
For more info: Call Chuck Zitterich 605-212-2408
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Nebraska Cup Thoughts
This
Sunday I attended my last race of the season, the 2012 Nebraska Cup.
With the fate of the 360’s sealed as a weekly show (done), I felt that I
needed to make it out to the race. A nice afternoon with a cool evening
led to a fast track and racy track with good races as Jason Johnson three-peated and
walked out with not only the winner’s share of $5,000 but every cent of
the lap leader money as he mastered all 30 circuits starting from the
pole position. It was a good show all around. Some unfortunate accidents
as both Don Droud Jr. and Tige Jensen broke axles sending them on rough
tumbles. Jensen was dominating his heat race before his crash. Mike
Boston got on his head on the opening lap of the A in a nowhere-to-go
accident resulting from chaos down the front stretch.
But Johnson put on the proverbial clinic, with Jack Dover taking another Ford-powered sprinter to second, briefly challenging on a late-race restart.
Some thoughts in and around the track:
- Not sure if it’s the last Nebraska Cup featuring the 360 Sprints. I’ve heard that there will be a few 360 sprint races at Eagle, but under the ASCS Midwest banner. The annual Eagle Nationals is also expected to return, probably as another ASCS National Tour event.
- The “50th Anniversary” 305-cubic inch sprinter made several circuits of the track during intermission. While certainly no slouch, and the car will still be the fastest thing on Saturday nights, the difference was evident. Some over the radio made derisive comments mocking the “not a real sprint car” sentiment and stated “I beg anyone to tell the difference!” I could, easily. It was not subtle. They were noticeably quieter and slower. A sprint car, yes. But different. After several months away during the offseason a casual fan may not be able to tell next year, but that night it was very evident. The hype from the paid employees was damped a little when they folks upstairs refused to put the car’s lap times on the scoreboard. But I understand given the speeds set during the heats, which included some of the fastest 360’s in the country, combined with the 305 not in ‘race mode,’ maybe the similarities were best left to speculation. No need to fan any flames.
- That said, I wish the 305’s success next year. I also wish the 360 group success as well, with maybe a little more enthusiasm than II had before. Not being privy to all the details, but meetings with representatives from the ASCS Midwest are pointing to a partnership with the sanctioning body as opposed to a separate touring series. There will be some distinctions and group-only incentives. We’ll find out more.
- I tip my hat to the Hobby Stock and Sport Mod groups. Particularly the Hobbies. They put on a very clean show. For all the bumpin’ and grindin’ they do on the track, they find a way to keep the cars straight come feature time. With Eagle being more of a “rhythm” track, the Hobby Stocks have a NASCAR on the super-speedway quality to them. And generally, that race isn’t decided until the late laps. The Sport Mods have gone past their infancy looking like dogs on linoleum to produce some clean racing of their own. But the pegging rev limiters is something I can’t get used to.
- An observation made by push truck driver, friend and fellow wise-cracker Mike Peterson was very astute: what may have relieved the tensions between the Eagle teams and management was...a rainout. Or a couple of them. Let the misery of the past week die off. But each (hot) weekend, the tempers and bad blood continued to maintain their heat. It was an interesting take because three people, from three different teams said something similar - and unsolicited from me. The constant weekly schedule took a toll on their wallets, their personal lives, their desire to be there. Couple this with the back-gate promoter mentality of needing to have the doors open every week to the pit-pass-paying masses or to the premier class drawing the front gate and you have a grind that takes out even the most serious racer. Another reason I dislike the concept of the back gate nature of the sport. I’m looking at you RPM. I’ve always thought a break would help. It’s getting a promoter willing to turn off that money spigot that’s the problem. On the other hand, burn ‘em out and that well runs dry.
- More talk, but under-the-breath statements suggest there may be more than a few of the local 360 guys willing to run with the 305’s at Eagle, either with restrictors, or going to purchase a 305 motor entirely. In some cases the thought of rebuilding a 360 vs. buying a new 305 is leaning in the 305’s favor. I’m not expecting a mass defection, but there may be more familiar faces at the track than we are led to believe next season. The factor most often cited - and the trump card in Roger’s hand is: they get to race close to home (and their sponsors). We’ll see how it turns out.
Until the next time.
-Jason
But Johnson put on the proverbial clinic, with Jack Dover taking another Ford-powered sprinter to second, briefly challenging on a late-race restart.
Some thoughts in and around the track:
- Not sure if it’s the last Nebraska Cup featuring the 360 Sprints. I’ve heard that there will be a few 360 sprint races at Eagle, but under the ASCS Midwest banner. The annual Eagle Nationals is also expected to return, probably as another ASCS National Tour event.
- The “50th Anniversary” 305-cubic inch sprinter made several circuits of the track during intermission. While certainly no slouch, and the car will still be the fastest thing on Saturday nights, the difference was evident. Some over the radio made derisive comments mocking the “not a real sprint car” sentiment and stated “I beg anyone to tell the difference!” I could, easily. It was not subtle. They were noticeably quieter and slower. A sprint car, yes. But different. After several months away during the offseason a casual fan may not be able to tell next year, but that night it was very evident. The hype from the paid employees was damped a little when they folks upstairs refused to put the car’s lap times on the scoreboard. But I understand given the speeds set during the heats, which included some of the fastest 360’s in the country, combined with the 305 not in ‘race mode,’ maybe the similarities were best left to speculation. No need to fan any flames.
- That said, I wish the 305’s success next year. I also wish the 360 group success as well, with maybe a little more enthusiasm than II had before. Not being privy to all the details, but meetings with representatives from the ASCS Midwest are pointing to a partnership with the sanctioning body as opposed to a separate touring series. There will be some distinctions and group-only incentives. We’ll find out more.
- I tip my hat to the Hobby Stock and Sport Mod groups. Particularly the Hobbies. They put on a very clean show. For all the bumpin’ and grindin’ they do on the track, they find a way to keep the cars straight come feature time. With Eagle being more of a “rhythm” track, the Hobby Stocks have a NASCAR on the super-speedway quality to them. And generally, that race isn’t decided until the late laps. The Sport Mods have gone past their infancy looking like dogs on linoleum to produce some clean racing of their own. But the pegging rev limiters is something I can’t get used to.
- An observation made by push truck driver, friend and fellow wise-cracker Mike Peterson was very astute: what may have relieved the tensions between the Eagle teams and management was...a rainout. Or a couple of them. Let the misery of the past week die off. But each (hot) weekend, the tempers and bad blood continued to maintain their heat. It was an interesting take because three people, from three different teams said something similar - and unsolicited from me. The constant weekly schedule took a toll on their wallets, their personal lives, their desire to be there. Couple this with the back-gate promoter mentality of needing to have the doors open every week to the pit-pass-paying masses or to the premier class drawing the front gate and you have a grind that takes out even the most serious racer. Another reason I dislike the concept of the back gate nature of the sport. I’m looking at you RPM. I’ve always thought a break would help. It’s getting a promoter willing to turn off that money spigot that’s the problem. On the other hand, burn ‘em out and that well runs dry.
- More talk, but under-the-breath statements suggest there may be more than a few of the local 360 guys willing to run with the 305’s at Eagle, either with restrictors, or going to purchase a 305 motor entirely. In some cases the thought of rebuilding a 360 vs. buying a new 305 is leaning in the 305’s favor. I’m not expecting a mass defection, but there may be more familiar faces at the track than we are led to believe next season. The factor most often cited - and the trump card in Roger’s hand is: they get to race close to home (and their sponsors). We’ll see how it turns out.
Until the next time.
-Jason
Saturday, September 08, 2012
The Case Against Parity
I used to believe that parity in racing was a good thing. That is, until I talked one day to a former Eagle track champion. He said, "we talk about 11 winners in 11 weeks - but does that mean they're all good? Or are they just average?" Of course, I won't say who because it may come off as disparaging.
But they could be all good, they could be all mediocre. Doesn't really matter.
I've railed on before about too many classes and how racing has become too niched and too egalitarian. Sub classes of subclasses pollute the track with half-filled features...or in the worst case: packed fields so evenly matched that picking the winner could just be a matter of random chance.
The champ followed up: "what this place (Eagle) needs is a bad guy." You can't manufacture bad, you can't claim "bad" (no amount of skull graphic wraps and black will work). It has to be bestowed upon you.
What this sport needs and lacks is a real feud. The man in black against the rest of the world. "The Intimidator" or his nemesis Jeff Gordon. Schumacher versus Hakkinen. And that's just history in my world. Racing lore is packed with stories of rivalry.
But the stories are from the past... We haven't just lost a man in black...the sport has lost a lot of its color. And again, no fluorescent-colored wraps or loud graphics gives that back. Feuds now are between one guy and the guy who claimed him. Maybe it was the guy who took him out. It's lost on the rest of us.
Color was seeing one J.J. Riggins pull in front of the stands after a win at Midwest Speedway to a chorus of boos and middle-finger salutes. It was people wearing 'Anybody but Riggins' T-shirts, ironically supplied (in secret) by the villain himself. It was a grandstand that rocked so hard the video camera replay shook as Don Maxwell battled Riggins for the lead coming out of turn four.
The color, the feuds, the villainy and heroism came from winning. One guy was dominant. One guy was always up front. Maybe there were heroic challengers who often won one for the 'good guys,' but there was always a black hat among them.
Maybe that's not what the fans want anymore (though the WWE seems to run with it). But unlike the WWE, that kind of dominance is hard to manufacture in classes so tightly regulated, so cost conscious and egalitarian that part-time racers all have the same gear and all have the same (lack of) experience. There are no differentiators.
These 'spec' classes are the worst. The playing field is leveled down with laser-like precision. It's not a good thing.
Vanilla. And not the good kind. More like ice-milk vanilla (lowercase v).
Sometimes I think the sprint cars were the last bastion of that - at least on a night to night basis there was a guy who was just head and shoulders above the rest. There's good racing, and there's just the guy who's leading on the last lap (NASCAR's worst problem). I think we have too much of the latter.
But I think I'm the last of a dying breed. Maybe it isn't about that anymore. Maybe the generation that's just 'happy to be there' Facebooking, Instagramming and tweeting about how much fun they're having is what it's about. Maybe it's always been that way.
It's just not my scene, man.
Perhaps I'm as outdated as that last phrase.
-Jason
But they could be all good, they could be all mediocre. Doesn't really matter.
I've railed on before about too many classes and how racing has become too niched and too egalitarian. Sub classes of subclasses pollute the track with half-filled features...or in the worst case: packed fields so evenly matched that picking the winner could just be a matter of random chance.
The champ followed up: "what this place (Eagle) needs is a bad guy." You can't manufacture bad, you can't claim "bad" (no amount of skull graphic wraps and black will work). It has to be bestowed upon you.
What this sport needs and lacks is a real feud. The man in black against the rest of the world. "The Intimidator" or his nemesis Jeff Gordon. Schumacher versus Hakkinen. And that's just history in my world. Racing lore is packed with stories of rivalry.
But the stories are from the past... We haven't just lost a man in black...the sport has lost a lot of its color. And again, no fluorescent-colored wraps or loud graphics gives that back. Feuds now are between one guy and the guy who claimed him. Maybe it was the guy who took him out. It's lost on the rest of us.
Color was seeing one J.J. Riggins pull in front of the stands after a win at Midwest Speedway to a chorus of boos and middle-finger salutes. It was people wearing 'Anybody but Riggins' T-shirts, ironically supplied (in secret) by the villain himself. It was a grandstand that rocked so hard the video camera replay shook as Don Maxwell battled Riggins for the lead coming out of turn four.
The color, the feuds, the villainy and heroism came from winning. One guy was dominant. One guy was always up front. Maybe there were heroic challengers who often won one for the 'good guys,' but there was always a black hat among them.
Maybe that's not what the fans want anymore (though the WWE seems to run with it). But unlike the WWE, that kind of dominance is hard to manufacture in classes so tightly regulated, so cost conscious and egalitarian that part-time racers all have the same gear and all have the same (lack of) experience. There are no differentiators.
These 'spec' classes are the worst. The playing field is leveled down with laser-like precision. It's not a good thing.
Vanilla. And not the good kind. More like ice-milk vanilla (lowercase v).
Sometimes I think the sprint cars were the last bastion of that - at least on a night to night basis there was a guy who was just head and shoulders above the rest. There's good racing, and there's just the guy who's leading on the last lap (NASCAR's worst problem). I think we have too much of the latter.
But I think I'm the last of a dying breed. Maybe it isn't about that anymore. Maybe the generation that's just 'happy to be there' Facebooking, Instagramming and tweeting about how much fun they're having is what it's about. Maybe it's always been that way.
It's just not my scene, man.
Perhaps I'm as outdated as that last phrase.
-Jason
Goodbye to a Friend (no, not that sappy)
A couple weeks ago I said goodbye to a racing friend: my Nikon
D300 digital camera (I sold it). For the better part of three years, it was a pro-grade
machine that I felt may have been an important catalyst in improving my
photography skills at the track. It still holds its own in any sporting arena,
despite the advent of some incredible new technology.
But this isn’t about photography or cameras. It’s symbolic. You
see, for as much as Photography has been a part of my life, not just as a practitioner
and also a student of the history and the art as well as a technological expert (though my attitude
may suggest otherwise, I don’t often call myself an ‘expert’ often) I didn’t
use the D300 much for anything but racing. Smaller, lighter, though less advanced cameras dominate my personal work.
The point is this: each year despite being a full-time
photographer – at least as an avocation – the most advanced weapon in my
arsenal sits idle in the off-season. To sell this camera without reservation was
not an indicator of my financial state but the willingness to part with what
has become a regular racing companion.
My interest in the sport isn't what it was six or even 10 years ago. It’s amazing how a
family changes the way you look at things. There are other reasons and I’ll talk
about those in future pieces. But, I knew that if I were to let go of what I
thought was vital equipment, then my sentiments are much more deeply rooted
than simply needing a break.
This weekend, I’ll be at the Nebraska Cup, shooting with an
older camera – the one I replaced with the D300. But looking back through old
photos, I was surprised by the amount of decent work I did with much less
equipment. Maybe the improvement wasn’t about the gear – but it was about
improving personally since I started shooting regularly 6 years ago.
Perhaps I not only had enthusiasm for the art, but what was
unfolding in front of me. I was more careful with what I did. I was more of…a
fan. Not full-blooded fanatic, but the traces of fandom still ran through me. How do I know?
Because for the first time in over 20 years I know what being a fan feels like
again. I’ll talk about that next time.
P.S. - and for those saying here's another one of your "retirement speeches," well maybe. But I'll have some salient points about what I feel is the state of the sport soon.
P.S. - and for those saying here's another one of your "retirement speeches," well maybe. But I'll have some salient points about what I feel is the state of the sport soon.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
ASCS Midwest Region Update
ASCS Midwest Region Update #19
Friday August 31st * Cameron, MO - $1500
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest & Warrior Regions
Nebraska Cup Weekend Night #1
Saturday September 8th
McCool Junction, NE - $1500 to win!
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest
Nebraska Cup Weekend Night #2
Sunday September 9th
Eagle, NE - $5000 to win!
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest
Midwest Fall Brawl Double-Header!
Friday Sept. 21st * Saturday Sept. 22nd
I-80 Speedway * Greenwood, NE
$2500 to win each night!
Plus - $750 Hard Charger Each Night!
Plus - (8) Car King of the Hill $500 to win!
Plus - Special point fund for total points positions 6th thru 15th!
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Championship Weekend
For more info: Call Chuck Zitterich (605) 212-2408
Friday August 31st * Cameron, MO - $1500
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest & Warrior Regions
Nebraska Cup Weekend Night #1
Saturday September 8th
McCool Junction, NE - $1500 to win!
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest
Nebraska Cup Weekend Night #2
Sunday September 9th
Eagle, NE - $5000 to win!
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest
Midwest Fall Brawl Double-Header!
Friday Sept. 21st * Saturday Sept. 22nd
I-80 Speedway * Greenwood, NE
$2500 to win each night!
Plus - $750 Hard Charger Each Night!
Plus - (8) Car King of the Hill $500 to win!
Plus - Special point fund for total points positions 6th thru 15th!
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Championship Weekend
For more info: Call Chuck Zitterich (605) 212-2408
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Requiem
This
Saturday marks the end of an era at Eagle Raceway as the 360 Sprints
will take to the track for the final time in a weekly points show. While
the non-points Eagle Shootout and Nebraska Cup will run in September,
this is the final show for the class at the track.
For 29 seasons, the 360’s consistently ran at Eagle. But rising costs cited as reason for declining car counts through Roger Hadan’s seven seasons of ownership forced Hadan to end what had become Eagle’s signature series in favor of ostensibly lower-costs and more tightly regulated IMCA Racesaver 305’s. While some fans had held hope that reconciliation could be met, the final nail had been driven when Eagle Raceway announced the 2013 Sprint Rules package - of the 305 spec - this week. 360’s can run, with restriction - but this will be a 305 series now. To those who ask how Eagle can pull it off with a dozen or so possible cars, I respond...about as well as he’s doing with the dozen cars now.
With less than a dozen cars competing the last two nights - the lowest car counts in the history of the series - there is no fanfare, and a 70% forecast for rain for Saturday would seem almost a “go figure” kind of end to the final season (not to mention ironic during this drought year).
Mike Boston leads Trevor Grossenbacher by 88 points going into the final show. Given there’s too large of a point spread for Grossenbacher to make up, lest a miracle 24 cars show for a B feature and Boston fails to qualify, Boston will seal up his sixth track title, tying John Gerloff (sprints), Mike Meyer (IMCA Modified), and Kevin Larkins (IMCA Modified) for most titles in one class in the track’s history.
Weather permitting (or maybe regardless) I plan to be there for the final go-round. With the exception of my tour with the NCRA Outlaws in 1996 and taking out time for the family this year, Eagle Raceway and sprint cars have been a part of my summer life for this entire period.
While I’m in agreement that Roger had to make a change, I’m not happy about it. Yes, there will be Sprint Cars in the academic sense, and to the fan that may be enough, but there is a culture which is leaving. Granted, it’s not a complete break, but many of the names and faces I’ve grown familiar with, in some cases became friends with, will not be part of the fabric at Eagle next year. And while current owners and fans are working to create a new series with the current Eagle regulars at its core, the shows out of town just don’t have the same attachment. Place and people were linked.
I plan on being there with my camera (which I've already sold - but will use for one last time), pen and paper and a single focus. Saturday - it isn’t about the other classes on the track for me. It’s about this group...who happen to race Sprint cars. After that...who knows?
So for me, this Saturday is a requiem of sorts. Saying goodbye to the class that spoke for Eagle Raceway for nearly 30 years.
For 29 seasons, the 360’s consistently ran at Eagle. But rising costs cited as reason for declining car counts through Roger Hadan’s seven seasons of ownership forced Hadan to end what had become Eagle’s signature series in favor of ostensibly lower-costs and more tightly regulated IMCA Racesaver 305’s. While some fans had held hope that reconciliation could be met, the final nail had been driven when Eagle Raceway announced the 2013 Sprint Rules package - of the 305 spec - this week. 360’s can run, with restriction - but this will be a 305 series now. To those who ask how Eagle can pull it off with a dozen or so possible cars, I respond...about as well as he’s doing with the dozen cars now.
With less than a dozen cars competing the last two nights - the lowest car counts in the history of the series - there is no fanfare, and a 70% forecast for rain for Saturday would seem almost a “go figure” kind of end to the final season (not to mention ironic during this drought year).
Mike Boston leads Trevor Grossenbacher by 88 points going into the final show. Given there’s too large of a point spread for Grossenbacher to make up, lest a miracle 24 cars show for a B feature and Boston fails to qualify, Boston will seal up his sixth track title, tying John Gerloff (sprints), Mike Meyer (IMCA Modified), and Kevin Larkins (IMCA Modified) for most titles in one class in the track’s history.
Weather permitting (or maybe regardless) I plan to be there for the final go-round. With the exception of my tour with the NCRA Outlaws in 1996 and taking out time for the family this year, Eagle Raceway and sprint cars have been a part of my summer life for this entire period.
While I’m in agreement that Roger had to make a change, I’m not happy about it. Yes, there will be Sprint Cars in the academic sense, and to the fan that may be enough, but there is a culture which is leaving. Granted, it’s not a complete break, but many of the names and faces I’ve grown familiar with, in some cases became friends with, will not be part of the fabric at Eagle next year. And while current owners and fans are working to create a new series with the current Eagle regulars at its core, the shows out of town just don’t have the same attachment. Place and people were linked.
I plan on being there with my camera (which I've already sold - but will use for one last time), pen and paper and a single focus. Saturday - it isn’t about the other classes on the track for me. It’s about this group...who happen to race Sprint cars. After that...who knows?
So for me, this Saturday is a requiem of sorts. Saying goodbye to the class that spoke for Eagle Raceway for nearly 30 years.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
ASCS Midwest Region Update #18
August 20, 2012
Friday August 31st * Cameron, MO - $1500
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest & Warrior Regions
Nebraska Cup Weekend Night #1
Saturday September 8th
McCool Junction, NE - $1500 to win!
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest
Nebraska Cup Weekend Night #2
Sunday September 9th
Eagle, NE - $5000 to win!
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest
Midwest Fall Brawl Double-Header!
Friday Sept. 21st * Saturday Sept. 22nd
I-80 Speedway * Greenwood, NE
$2500 to win each night!
Plus - $750 Hard Charger Each Night!
Plus - (8) Car King of the Hill $500 to win!
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Championship Weekend
For more info: Call Chuck Zitterich (605) 212-2408
Friday August 31st * Cameron, MO - $1500
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest & Warrior Regions
Nebraska Cup Weekend Night #1
Saturday September 8th
McCool Junction, NE - $1500 to win!
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest
Nebraska Cup Weekend Night #2
Sunday September 9th
Eagle, NE - $5000 to win!
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest
Midwest Fall Brawl Double-Header!
Friday Sept. 21st * Saturday Sept. 22nd
I-80 Speedway * Greenwood, NE
$2500 to win each night!
Plus - $750 Hard Charger Each Night!
Plus - (8) Car King of the Hill $500 to win!
Speedway Motors ASCS Midwest Championship Weekend
For more info: Call Chuck Zitterich (605) 212-2408
Monday, August 06, 2012
Stu Snyder injured in Wingless Sprint Crash
2011 Eagle Raceway champion and current ASCS Midwest points leader Stu Snyder suffered serious injury in a non-wing sprint car accident August 5 at Missouri's US36 Raceway. As of Monday August 6, Stu is reported to be in stable/critical condition at KU Med Center in Kansas City.
Update: Eagle Raceway will pass the helmet for funds to help Snyder's expenses on August 18.
Update: Eagle Raceway will pass the helmet for funds to help Snyder's expenses on August 18.
Thursday, August 02, 2012
Oswald to take over as JMS Track Manager
From Jessica Stutzman, Former Manager, Junction Motor Speedway:
This was very hard for me to write today.
I am deciding to hand down my position as track manager of Junction Motor Speedway to Mandi Oswald as of yesterday Aug. 1, 2012. My plans were to announce this news at the track banquet, which I am still going to attend in January; but this time as a guest and not an employee.
I want to thank again, all of the drivers especially those who allowed me the opportunity to work with them every week to bring a great racing experience to the fans and guests of the beautiful facility south of York, Nebraska.
I currently live in Lincoln, Nebraska, therefore I will be attending more races around that area, not to mention some Iowa, South Dakota, and Kansas tracks just to visit with people and to watch racing for once (and not work).
I have grown up around racing thanks to my wonderful family, namely, Mike and Lori Goldfuss, my parents; my two brothers, Logan and Brandon Jessen, and their better halves, Kaylie McKenzie and Keisha Jessen. I encourage those who are interested to utilize my dad’s new racing business for shocks and springs.
If anyone has any questions they are more than welcome to call my number 402-469-9443 for information. I plan on marketing his new business to those in the Midwest region- free of charge, I am sure somewhere along the lines my dad purchased some things for me growing up in Sutton, NE.
I also want everyone to continue supporting the local race tracks, especially Junction Motor Speedway. Thanks to Delmar Friesen, Jason Friesen, and the Entire Friesen and Nunnenkamp families for allowing me the opportunity of almost 4 seasons as Track Manager and 6 years of Scoring; this to me was a great career. One thing I haven’t pursued is racing itself. Thank you Chevy Hadan for the racing experience a few years ago at Eagle; you inspired me to want to run a car in the future.
Racing is a family sport; I encourage all drivers to never give up when times get tough, because the fans need family get-a-ways to the local dirt tracks and you all put on a “heck of a good show” for lack of better words. I wish everyone the best; my future also entails getting another degree through Peru State College; I may be a nerd, but one thing I do know is that I am a good friend and confidant to those around me. Thanks again and see everyone at the races!!
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Thoughts on this past Weekend's Races at Eagle
Took another trip to Eagle this week. Despite the heat, it was nice to see quite a few people and get some feedback on the piece I wrote regarding the 360/305 change at Eagle. (I didn’t realize later it got posted on Hoseheads.com, and other places until I checked my site traffic stats).
A few observations:
1. There’s a concern among some teams that a vocal minority is speaking on behalf of the current sprint car contingent. Not saying that they’re not in agreement on many things - but the approach taken has caused concern that this minority and its attitude is weighing heavily on Roger Hadan’s actions. The answer for this is to speak to Roger directly, on behalf of themselves and if needed, publicly state that these few are not speaking for the group.
2. The decision to go to 305’s is not cast in stone, but the mold has been set. My prediction is we’ll see the 305’s next season, but a concerted effort from a NEW group of representatives and a new way of thinking may change that. I would say this - if the 360s are willing to compromise on engine (such as injector restrictions), tires or wing size/configuration, and if the changes were such that ‘the little guy’ could keep up, there could be a change of heart. It’s looking like the 305 announcement was more of Eagle's answer to the question “...or else what, Roger?” But make no mistake, the gauntlet has been thrown down and I fully believe Roger will follow through.
3. Running the sprints first makes sense, and produced a good feature on a decent track. I don’t mind dry tracks - with big wings, it often leaves you with great racing as long as the track doesn’t take rubber. But - the rest of the night seemed a bit empty to me. Until the final race, leading me to...
4. The ‘A’ Mods still put on a fantastic show, and if you have to close with something other than the sprints, they’re the ones to do it. A fine piece of driving and strategy gave Chris Alcorn the win on the final lap.
5. The myth of the crowd pouring out after the sprints run is busted. Now, I did notice people leaving, but certainly not in droves. Maybe a hundred or so, if that. The crowd dwindled slightly as each feature ended, but it certainly wasn’t empty by the final feature, and the typical line down the road was there after the show. I think this: the sprints are liked, being without them would have a significant impact, but they aren’t the entire show and don’t hold nearly the sway as they did during the Cormack/early Hadan years.
6. I was impressed, barring the after-race figure 8 program, the show was done shortly after 10. I can live with that.
7. That said, the ‘A’ Modified car count was down to just 22 cars - all running in the A. Yes, we see car counts drop in July as heat, vacations and most importantly budgets take their toll. But 22 is a noticeable low for a normally strong weekly show. It’s seasonal. BUT I think that in terms of attrition due to costs, A mods are next on the list, especially when you can run a sport mod on the same track. The question will be: if their car counts drop below 20 for a length of time...does Roger put the ultimatum on them, like he did the sprints?
My plans lie elsewhere this weekend, I’ll likely be out at Eagle for the USAC show. Otherwise, despite the heat, it was a pleasant trip.
But those chicken poppers - they need some improvement.
A few observations:
1. There’s a concern among some teams that a vocal minority is speaking on behalf of the current sprint car contingent. Not saying that they’re not in agreement on many things - but the approach taken has caused concern that this minority and its attitude is weighing heavily on Roger Hadan’s actions. The answer for this is to speak to Roger directly, on behalf of themselves and if needed, publicly state that these few are not speaking for the group.
2. The decision to go to 305’s is not cast in stone, but the mold has been set. My prediction is we’ll see the 305’s next season, but a concerted effort from a NEW group of representatives and a new way of thinking may change that. I would say this - if the 360s are willing to compromise on engine (such as injector restrictions), tires or wing size/configuration, and if the changes were such that ‘the little guy’ could keep up, there could be a change of heart. It’s looking like the 305 announcement was more of Eagle's answer to the question “...or else what, Roger?” But make no mistake, the gauntlet has been thrown down and I fully believe Roger will follow through.
3. Running the sprints first makes sense, and produced a good feature on a decent track. I don’t mind dry tracks - with big wings, it often leaves you with great racing as long as the track doesn’t take rubber. But - the rest of the night seemed a bit empty to me. Until the final race, leading me to...
4. The ‘A’ Mods still put on a fantastic show, and if you have to close with something other than the sprints, they’re the ones to do it. A fine piece of driving and strategy gave Chris Alcorn the win on the final lap.
5. The myth of the crowd pouring out after the sprints run is busted. Now, I did notice people leaving, but certainly not in droves. Maybe a hundred or so, if that. The crowd dwindled slightly as each feature ended, but it certainly wasn’t empty by the final feature, and the typical line down the road was there after the show. I think this: the sprints are liked, being without them would have a significant impact, but they aren’t the entire show and don’t hold nearly the sway as they did during the Cormack/early Hadan years.
6. I was impressed, barring the after-race figure 8 program, the show was done shortly after 10. I can live with that.
7. That said, the ‘A’ Modified car count was down to just 22 cars - all running in the A. Yes, we see car counts drop in July as heat, vacations and most importantly budgets take their toll. But 22 is a noticeable low for a normally strong weekly show. It’s seasonal. BUT I think that in terms of attrition due to costs, A mods are next on the list, especially when you can run a sport mod on the same track. The question will be: if their car counts drop below 20 for a length of time...does Roger put the ultimatum on them, like he did the sprints?
My plans lie elsewhere this weekend, I’ll likely be out at Eagle for the USAC show. Otherwise, despite the heat, it was a pleasant trip.
But those chicken poppers - they need some improvement.
Friday, July 06, 2012
32 Years was a Heck of a Run
On
June 30, Eagle Raceway owner Roger Hadan announced to the remaining
sprint car drivers (and the rest of the gathered audience) that this
would be the last year of the 360 Sprint Car class. Next season’s sprint
car class would consist of IMCA/Racesaver 305-cubic inch cars. The
Racesaver motor is a tightly-spec’ed engine, built to minimal cost and
requiring to be sealed by a track tech-inspector. Prices vary - but
several used engines are selling in the $4000-6000 range. New motors
could be built to top spec for $10K. The 360’s could run in 2013, with
restrictors (presumably injectors), but in 2014 - only Racesaver-spec
motors would be allowed.
Let me get this clear first: I don’t like that this happened. I grew up around this class from its genesis at Midwest Speedway - where I feel is THE birthplace of 360 sprints - and spent two and a half decades of summers around people who may be displaced by the rules change. This class has been running, fundamentally unchanged (but with minor, and noticeable changes) for 32 years in the Lincoln area. It’s a sad day for Eagle’s sprint car clan.
But I think it needed to happen, if only for survival of sprint car racing at Eagle. I’ll explain as a series of responses to issues I’ve heard about and read about over the past few years.
Somebody had to do somethin’ and nobody was doin’ nothin’! Grammatically incorrect, it conveys the message nonetheless. Last year Roger offered up the idea of running a piece on the wing (the so-called COS - Chunk of Sh*t adapter) to reduce downforce, and thus take it easier on tires and reduce the advantage of motors. That was shot down quickly by the teams claiming issues with handling, and effects on their being ready for Eagle’s ASCS shows. I admit that I also needed proof that it would work. But, the idea was abandoned.
In response, the Eagle Sprint Car Committee busted tail and secured a generous point fund that would encourage racers to stick it out the entire season. Hadan agreed to raise the purse, provided a minimum car count was met. Despite the well-intentioned efforts, the car count declined, and despite the initial promise to do so, Hadan kept the purse at the elevated level for the remainder of the season.
My theory has always been the most expensive part of racing is the act of racing. Parts, maintenance, towing, etc. are the most significant costs. The average, middle-class hobby racer can no longer keep up with maintaining these machines. There aren’t enough people or sponsors to keep up with what has become rapidly escalating costs for motors, and parts.
The economy is to blame for the most part. At least I think it's what drove the nail in the coffin. But it is ridiculous to ask a business owner to wait the economy out when there is opportunity in front of them. And if it “comes back,” what does it come back to? The debt-to-earnings ratio of the average American in the mid 2000’s was at a level unseen since the late 1920’s. You know...right before the Great Depression. The average American has less overall wealth than they did in the 1990’s. If you know when the next boom is coming, send me an email so I can buy stock.
The days of subprime and roses are gone. The free flowing credit won’t come back in our lifetime. That means not just loans and credit cards, but loans for business to grow and pay wages that allow the kind of disposable income and sponsorship money to pay for this hobby. The economic comeback will be that of people being able to afford their de-valued house, maybe feeding their family, and paying for gas that’s TRIPLED in price to get to the job that will be paying less. Where does the money for $30-40K motors come from?
The cost of doing business had to be lowered.
The class was fundamentally unchanged for 30 years. That’s the problem.
A steel 360, top wing and spec tire. Really, the class is the same as when it was a revolutionary new way to race, when it received a text & photo spread in a 1982 issue of Open Wheel titled "Save money, go fast at Midwest." The thought of old cars, with a tight rules package and a tightly restricted motor was a novelty in the heydays of “Run Whatcha Brung” during the World of Outlaws formative years.
But the incremental changes were unchecked and allowed the costs to climb. Four-bar suspensions could now run a wing. Fuel Injection was allowed. Aluminum heads (though I agree they were easier to fix), and what I thought was killer: the 25-Square foot wing. Now, there was power to be found, and it could be hooked up. Technology advances allowed for CNC machining to the nth degree, and the law of diminishing returns found every little microscopic advantage in engines, parts, tires...all this with not so microscopic raises in costs. Motors built in your garage? Now motors in some cases are nearing $40,000, albeit rare. A new 360 will run you over 20 grand.
The gap between haves and have-nots is starting to show, even at the ASCS regional level. And now, the “second tier” of sprint cars is being filled with professional racers - with professional equipment.
What it also did was take cars out of the builders, and put them into the hands of the few that could afford the processes to make the parts. No longer could pieces be built, they had to be bought. And, they weren’t repairable...they’re consumable. There was no such thing as innovation to give you cheap competitive advantages. Why waste money on a small purse at a track, when you could instead SELL the part? And now...everyone’s gotta have it. For a price, of course.
Keep adding to the bill.
“We have too much money invested. Any rules change will leave us with obsolete parts!”
I blame the track for part of this. By refusing to confront this long ago, and standardizing to ASCS rules, you left guys building outside the rules, and leaving them with expensive parts, like heads that leave them out on an island as far as the rules go.
But that’s my problem, if you were out on an island when you wanted a competitive advantage, why do you have a problem with being left on an island now with a new rules package? If you didn’t do this and you’re ASCS legal, then aren’t there all those ASCS sprints there eagerly waiting for a used parts deal?
Or...are there? Is there no used market?
Then it goes back to the original problem - not enough cars. The problem has always been that a class needs not to be affordable but sustainable. The sport mods or stock cars...they can sell the car on the used market and give a new racer something to start with. Can’t they do that with sprint cars? It seems like either the items can’t be sold, or there’s nobody to buy them, be it from lack of demand, or lack of people even able to afford used parts.
In that case, you’ve always been on an island...a more expensive one.
The fan base has changed, but it demands the same
Call it what you want, and deride them all you want, but the average attendance has grown at Eagle since Hadan took over. Whether it be the free nights, whether it be the increase in classes - whatever, the fan base has changed, and it isn’t so skewed to the sprints.
However, Roger has stated many times that he needs sprint cars at the track. But what he also said (indirectly) was: he doesn’t need THESE sprint cars out there. The hardcore fan and the others who are die-hard, come cloudy day or shine, come every week are the dwindling minority. But many like the sprint cars, but are not passionate.
If Roger wanted to get rid of “sprint cars” he would have. Not 360’s, not 305s. None. Instead what he believes he’s doing is satisfying the need of the casual sprint car fan. And those cars need to only fill three criteria: 1. Not start life as a grocery getter 2. have a wing (we saw that in 2008), and 3. be the fastest car out there. Albeit 1-2 seconds slower...all criteria are satisfied. The casual fan will not know the difference.
People are right, Eagle fans expect sprint cars. Roger looks into the pits and sees few. There’s no sign more will come the way things are going. This way, the entry point is lowered and Roger has said, he’d buy cars to fill a field. That price to subsidize the class got cheaper. Can the egos handle being another notch down under the 360’s? Sometimes I think that’s the biggest issue. But remember, some people still don’t think 360’s are “real” sprint cars.
There will still be sprint cars at Eagle.
This isn’t about tradition. It’s about the product.
Old personal bonds, history, that takes a back seat to business. Always has. It did in 1976, the year sprint cars died at Eagle. The product put to the fans in the stands counts. In the world of back-gate promoting, car counts matter. We haven’t seen sprint cars die, but the path they’re going down is NOT certain. Throwing money at it with more purse wasn’t going to make a difference, especially when you have cars traveling to places like Albion and racing for a fraction of the current purse or if rumored offers to race for free tickets were true. It will never be enough money, and soon, it wasn’t going to offset the number of people needing to fill the stands to replace that extra money Roger spent. If sprint cars weren’t delivering, he wasn’t putting out the promised product. The sprints don’t have the luxury of a “sprint car guy” at the helm anymore.
The local heroes are gone along with the legends and the unique machines, it’s simply about loud, fast cars going around in circles.
Everything old will never be new again
The days of 40-car counts in the sprints was the anomaly. It was the result of a convergence after one group left in 2000 then rejoined those who stayed, combined with those who traveled from S. Dakota, IA and MN and those who came over from I-80's defunct class the previous season at Eagle. It didn’t last more than a couple of years (but what years!) and car counts declined ever since. Old timers remembered the days of Opperman, Beckman, Rager, Shuman. But it was quality over quantity then. Car counts were in the teens, and the fan base was more patient. We won’t see those days either.
Mid 20’s car counts was the norm and the goal is to bring just the normal back.
A risk
In the end, Roger is taking a huge gamble here. If you read the message board posts, he’s taking what’s left and sending it down the road. However, he’s stated that he has new blood waiting to get into the new class. This has to work for him. Eagle won’t die, but I think it will suffer if it doesn’t work.
I think the truth is somewhere in the middle. I don’t think everyone will go their separate ways, and I don’t think he will have so much new blood that he won’t have to subsidize some of the car count, either outright providing them with cars or motors.
I think the timing was unfortunate; having some seriously bad tracks early this year didn’t help the cause, nor did lowering the purse. The message could’ve been delivered differently, and I would’ve considered grandfathering the 360s for two years.
And, most importantly it ain't my money. But what's being spent on tires hooked to state-of-the art 360s? What's being spent on heads and motors? What expense now couldn't be diverted to a competitive 305?
As Einstein said, “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Roger could pay a dear price for this.
But the cost of inaction was greater.
-Jason
Let me get this clear first: I don’t like that this happened. I grew up around this class from its genesis at Midwest Speedway - where I feel is THE birthplace of 360 sprints - and spent two and a half decades of summers around people who may be displaced by the rules change. This class has been running, fundamentally unchanged (but with minor, and noticeable changes) for 32 years in the Lincoln area. It’s a sad day for Eagle’s sprint car clan.
But I think it needed to happen, if only for survival of sprint car racing at Eagle. I’ll explain as a series of responses to issues I’ve heard about and read about over the past few years.
Somebody had to do somethin’ and nobody was doin’ nothin’! Grammatically incorrect, it conveys the message nonetheless. Last year Roger offered up the idea of running a piece on the wing (the so-called COS - Chunk of Sh*t adapter) to reduce downforce, and thus take it easier on tires and reduce the advantage of motors. That was shot down quickly by the teams claiming issues with handling, and effects on their being ready for Eagle’s ASCS shows. I admit that I also needed proof that it would work. But, the idea was abandoned.
In response, the Eagle Sprint Car Committee busted tail and secured a generous point fund that would encourage racers to stick it out the entire season. Hadan agreed to raise the purse, provided a minimum car count was met. Despite the well-intentioned efforts, the car count declined, and despite the initial promise to do so, Hadan kept the purse at the elevated level for the remainder of the season.
My theory has always been the most expensive part of racing is the act of racing. Parts, maintenance, towing, etc. are the most significant costs. The average, middle-class hobby racer can no longer keep up with maintaining these machines. There aren’t enough people or sponsors to keep up with what has become rapidly escalating costs for motors, and parts.
The economy is to blame for the most part. At least I think it's what drove the nail in the coffin. But it is ridiculous to ask a business owner to wait the economy out when there is opportunity in front of them. And if it “comes back,” what does it come back to? The debt-to-earnings ratio of the average American in the mid 2000’s was at a level unseen since the late 1920’s. You know...right before the Great Depression. The average American has less overall wealth than they did in the 1990’s. If you know when the next boom is coming, send me an email so I can buy stock.
The days of subprime and roses are gone. The free flowing credit won’t come back in our lifetime. That means not just loans and credit cards, but loans for business to grow and pay wages that allow the kind of disposable income and sponsorship money to pay for this hobby. The economic comeback will be that of people being able to afford their de-valued house, maybe feeding their family, and paying for gas that’s TRIPLED in price to get to the job that will be paying less. Where does the money for $30-40K motors come from?
The cost of doing business had to be lowered.
The class was fundamentally unchanged for 30 years. That’s the problem.
A steel 360, top wing and spec tire. Really, the class is the same as when it was a revolutionary new way to race, when it received a text & photo spread in a 1982 issue of Open Wheel titled "Save money, go fast at Midwest." The thought of old cars, with a tight rules package and a tightly restricted motor was a novelty in the heydays of “Run Whatcha Brung” during the World of Outlaws formative years.
But the incremental changes were unchecked and allowed the costs to climb. Four-bar suspensions could now run a wing. Fuel Injection was allowed. Aluminum heads (though I agree they were easier to fix), and what I thought was killer: the 25-Square foot wing. Now, there was power to be found, and it could be hooked up. Technology advances allowed for CNC machining to the nth degree, and the law of diminishing returns found every little microscopic advantage in engines, parts, tires...all this with not so microscopic raises in costs. Motors built in your garage? Now motors in some cases are nearing $40,000, albeit rare. A new 360 will run you over 20 grand.
The gap between haves and have-nots is starting to show, even at the ASCS regional level. And now, the “second tier” of sprint cars is being filled with professional racers - with professional equipment.
What it also did was take cars out of the builders, and put them into the hands of the few that could afford the processes to make the parts. No longer could pieces be built, they had to be bought. And, they weren’t repairable...they’re consumable. There was no such thing as innovation to give you cheap competitive advantages. Why waste money on a small purse at a track, when you could instead SELL the part? And now...everyone’s gotta have it. For a price, of course.
Keep adding to the bill.
“We have too much money invested. Any rules change will leave us with obsolete parts!”
I blame the track for part of this. By refusing to confront this long ago, and standardizing to ASCS rules, you left guys building outside the rules, and leaving them with expensive parts, like heads that leave them out on an island as far as the rules go.
But that’s my problem, if you were out on an island when you wanted a competitive advantage, why do you have a problem with being left on an island now with a new rules package? If you didn’t do this and you’re ASCS legal, then aren’t there all those ASCS sprints there eagerly waiting for a used parts deal?
Or...are there? Is there no used market?
Then it goes back to the original problem - not enough cars. The problem has always been that a class needs not to be affordable but sustainable. The sport mods or stock cars...they can sell the car on the used market and give a new racer something to start with. Can’t they do that with sprint cars? It seems like either the items can’t be sold, or there’s nobody to buy them, be it from lack of demand, or lack of people even able to afford used parts.
In that case, you’ve always been on an island...a more expensive one.
The fan base has changed, but it demands the same
Call it what you want, and deride them all you want, but the average attendance has grown at Eagle since Hadan took over. Whether it be the free nights, whether it be the increase in classes - whatever, the fan base has changed, and it isn’t so skewed to the sprints.
However, Roger has stated many times that he needs sprint cars at the track. But what he also said (indirectly) was: he doesn’t need THESE sprint cars out there. The hardcore fan and the others who are die-hard, come cloudy day or shine, come every week are the dwindling minority. But many like the sprint cars, but are not passionate.
If Roger wanted to get rid of “sprint cars” he would have. Not 360’s, not 305s. None. Instead what he believes he’s doing is satisfying the need of the casual sprint car fan. And those cars need to only fill three criteria: 1. Not start life as a grocery getter 2. have a wing (we saw that in 2008), and 3. be the fastest car out there. Albeit 1-2 seconds slower...all criteria are satisfied. The casual fan will not know the difference.
People are right, Eagle fans expect sprint cars. Roger looks into the pits and sees few. There’s no sign more will come the way things are going. This way, the entry point is lowered and Roger has said, he’d buy cars to fill a field. That price to subsidize the class got cheaper. Can the egos handle being another notch down under the 360’s? Sometimes I think that’s the biggest issue. But remember, some people still don’t think 360’s are “real” sprint cars.
There will still be sprint cars at Eagle.
This isn’t about tradition. It’s about the product.
Old personal bonds, history, that takes a back seat to business. Always has. It did in 1976, the year sprint cars died at Eagle. The product put to the fans in the stands counts. In the world of back-gate promoting, car counts matter. We haven’t seen sprint cars die, but the path they’re going down is NOT certain. Throwing money at it with more purse wasn’t going to make a difference, especially when you have cars traveling to places like Albion and racing for a fraction of the current purse or if rumored offers to race for free tickets were true. It will never be enough money, and soon, it wasn’t going to offset the number of people needing to fill the stands to replace that extra money Roger spent. If sprint cars weren’t delivering, he wasn’t putting out the promised product. The sprints don’t have the luxury of a “sprint car guy” at the helm anymore.
The local heroes are gone along with the legends and the unique machines, it’s simply about loud, fast cars going around in circles.
Everything old will never be new again
The days of 40-car counts in the sprints was the anomaly. It was the result of a convergence after one group left in 2000 then rejoined those who stayed, combined with those who traveled from S. Dakota, IA and MN and those who came over from I-80's defunct class the previous season at Eagle. It didn’t last more than a couple of years (but what years!) and car counts declined ever since. Old timers remembered the days of Opperman, Beckman, Rager, Shuman. But it was quality over quantity then. Car counts were in the teens, and the fan base was more patient. We won’t see those days either.
Mid 20’s car counts was the norm and the goal is to bring just the normal back.
A risk
In the end, Roger is taking a huge gamble here. If you read the message board posts, he’s taking what’s left and sending it down the road. However, he’s stated that he has new blood waiting to get into the new class. This has to work for him. Eagle won’t die, but I think it will suffer if it doesn’t work.
I think the truth is somewhere in the middle. I don’t think everyone will go their separate ways, and I don’t think he will have so much new blood that he won’t have to subsidize some of the car count, either outright providing them with cars or motors.
I think the timing was unfortunate; having some seriously bad tracks early this year didn’t help the cause, nor did lowering the purse. The message could’ve been delivered differently, and I would’ve considered grandfathering the 360s for two years.
And, most importantly it ain't my money. But what's being spent on tires hooked to state-of-the art 360s? What's being spent on heads and motors? What expense now couldn't be diverted to a competitive 305?
As Einstein said, “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Roger could pay a dear price for this.
But the cost of inaction was greater.
-Jason
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