Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Cory Haas let go by car owner Mike Barshinger; driver to be named soon

This team has quietly become a staple in the pit area in Central Pa. For the first time since their 358 days, there will be new drivers in both the Highlands #3 and the Barshinger car (highly doubt they keep the #11C since that had always been Cory's number). Things will definitely be a bit different in 2017. Best of luck to both Cory and Barshinger in the future. Hope they both find success.

Put Cory in the #3. Let's see what happens.

I think folks might be surprised to see who the new driver of the Highlands #3 will be.

Feel like the Highlands #3 is gonna be a bigger name than Cory...

I feel like it's been a couple of years since PA has had a former Outlaw run weekly.  (Guys like Pittman and Lasoski come to mind). Is anyone dropping off the WoO tour after this year?  McMahan?  Could it potentially be Dale Blaney, if he's losing the funding from Muddy, like someone said?  I have absolutely no clue, but it will be interesting to see as Silly Season shakes itself out.....

Wouldn't be surprised if Saldana and McMahan drop off tour, but not sure either would go to PA to race weekly.  SpcJay said he heard rumor Saldana to Wood Racing for All Stars.  No idea about McMahan.  The Highlands team also hinted at doing some more traveling, etc. so maybe that will attract a bigger name too.  Not sure McMahan would "relocate" to PA if they do bulk of racing there or travel there weekly, which I doubt the team has the fiscal strength to do.  As you say it'll be interesting for sure.

I'm thinking Freddy Rahmer, rumor last year when that team almost split was that Fred was trying to get Freddy in it. It's always better to race with others paying the bills Only time will tell......

Saldana to the Highlands car ...

I was told from a few drivers who had inquired about the Highland's car after it became open. He said that basically Matt told him that after all the years doing this, and the little bit of success they had with James in the car, that he finnaly figured out that he knew how to set up a car and that his equipment was not the problem. Said that he was confident in his ability to set up the car and that he was no longer blaming himself. That with a a bigger driver and a better track record, they could run well on a consistant basis. I know he looked at a few bigger names...Madesn, both Kaedings, for the end of 2016 and all of them turned him down for multiple reasons. He;s looking foir a big name and looking to run PA along with bigger races.

After the driver I spoke with who had inquired about the availablity of the ride heard what Matt had tio say, he told me that hoinestly, he didn;t know if it be worth taking the ride with such lofty expectations. Said if the owner and main guy was that confident in himself, that he thought it be very hard to succeed long term if they were not winning a lot going forward

I don't think you see McMahan go anywhere. The team split with their crew cheif about mid season and Paul picked up a lot of the slack the rest of the year. The team has run better and is more to Paul's liking now and I think they will give him the opportunity to succeed somewhat with another full season. That;s just my opinion

As far as the Barshinger seat, there are a lot of names being thrown around. I've also heard that the Trone 39 split with Tim and we may see Cody Darrah team up with them for next year and his crew chief coming with him. That;s just a rumor, but I've heard it quite a few times and it would make sense, as I know one of the main reasons they stepped back this year is they did not want to field a car for that much and not have Cody's crewchief with him and see them struggle. Guess we'll see though.

Jay Reichard.  Time for some good true racers that have never had any money behind them instead of proven field fillers.

Luna's Ford engine style that won 2 WoO titles and 3 
Kings Royals before a weight rule against the best EVER
in their prime and now DOMINATES super dirt late model
racing is no longer allowed/wanted in a WoO sprint
car.... Was Luna a miracle worker?

I'll throw a name out there to fill the Barshinger ride that might surpise some....Chase Dietz.

that sure would make for some interesting conversation around the Thanksgiving Table!

You've got to be kidding me. Would you be saying that if he didn't have a Ford under the hood. By the way, did he even finish a race this season without engine problems? 

That could be a good combination. I think Freddie has a big future ahead of him. I think that's a decent car. I think Cory is a good driver too, things just ran their course as they often times do in this sport. 

That's pretty interesting. That type of attitude can be good. Confidence is a big deal in this sport. The issue can be when that confidence turns to arrogance and expectations beyond reason. I don't know any of them so I'm not making any accusations by any means, just an observation based on what you said. I think that car could become a real threat if they can hit on the right driver/team combo. Pat kicked a lot of ass for many years in 358's and 360's. They never really could get it going once they stepped up to 410's. Flashes of brilliance at times..... especially at Selinsgrove but it never turned into consistent success. Should be interesting to see where this deal lands next season.

I think I was present to see that car blow an engine at least twice...one time it was hot laps and another was lap 1 of a heat race if I am not mistaken.

I think both the owners named in this thread will be looking for someone with a little more seat time at the Grove in actual racving conditions...and not on the hook with the juice running out of it.

Lincoln 1845 ft/.35 mile T1=118MPH 
Eldora 2287 ft/.43mile T3=135MPH
Port 2716 ft/.51 mile T3=TBD
Grove 2792 ft/.53 mile T3=135MPH
Selinsgrove 2847 ft/.54 mile T1=136MPH
"I didn't move to PA from El Paso in search of better 
weather." Van May

I'll throw two more rumors that I recently heard.....remember these are only rumors...Stevie Smith returning to the Zemco #1 and Lucas Wolfe to the Highlands #3.

Can I assume Silly Season has officially begun?