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

enough with politics. how bout some news about the STN? Whats the entry list up to now? any other big names set to enter?

I'm gonna try to hit this race up for my 1st time so I'm gonna get myself psyched for the 6 hour solo drive I'll have thursday.

How about this Shootout that Darin Short is puttin together. lets here a bunch of news on that. format, payout, all the cool details. It's my understanding it's gonna be a 6 car shootout from accumalated points at I-30 and Cowtown. Why just 6? why not a few more like 10? Cool idea, though, how bout some more specifics?

How much would could a wouldchuck chuck if a 
wouldchuck could chuck would

O'Reilly Short Track Nationals – The Time is Near! 

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (October 22, 2007) – It's just a matter of a couple of short days now, the final few hours, and the final weekend of October is upon us. You know, that weekend when all roads seemingly lead to Little Rock, Arkansas. The weekend when the collective eyes of the entire Sprint Car racing community shifts to "The Natural State's" capital city. 

And the added beauty of it is, at least for those who have planned accordingly, it's a long weekend. It's one that fires to life on Thursday when the first official green flag flies upon the 20^th edition of I-30 Speedway's O'Reilly Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires. 

With the entry count already in record territory at 105 with more entries still trickling in every day, it's doubtful that a tougher, more competitive cast of characters has ever been assembled in one place for a 360-ci Sprint Car event, one that will serve as the final event of the year for the O'Reilly American Sprint Cars on Tour National series. 

And following three full nights of the most intense Sprint Car racing imaginable atop I-30 Speedway's high-banked, red clay, ¼-mile oval, including two full preliminary events on Thursday and Friday followed by Saturday night's STN championship finale, we'll finally know the answer to the most frequently-asked question in recent weeks, or even months. 

We'll know the exact identity of the next Short Track Nationals king. We'll know who rides out of Little Rock $20,000 wealthier with a Saturday night triumph. We'll know if the loot goes to New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, California or one of the other 21 states represented among the star-studded field. Or maybe, just maybe, the winner's bounty will stay within the Arkansas state lines for just the third time in event history. 

And just to make things more interesting this time around, as if that was really necessary to begin with, the winner could leave I-30 Speedway with more than $45,000. That's right, the top three from the Thursday and Friday preliminary feature events will square off in the Pack's Dash for Cash for the opportunity to be presented the COMP Cams Challenge. 

Just witnessing who will become eligible for the added money will be spectacular enough on Thursday and Friday nights. After all, simply getting locked into the $2,000-to-start finale through preliminary night action is virtually priceless. Those studly six won't have to battle amongst the remaining 100 or so combatants for the final 14 positions to the STN championship finale on Saturday night. 

And as those other 100 or so battle through heats, last chance races and qualifiers on Saturday in a popular version of the Sprint Bandits format, the six drivers already locked in will square off in the Pack's Dash for Cash, a Dash that has historically held more than its fair share of dicey moments. This year will be no different, as there is that added impetus to finish in front, for that is where the opportunity at a $45,000 payday is to be found. Simply accepting the challenge and going to the tail of the field assured that driver of an extra $1,000 regardless of finishing position. Pull off the unthinkable, come from the tail and win it all, and the winner's share balloons to a whopping $45,000. 

The entry list already reads like a "Who's Who of Sprint Car Racing" with the likes of Gary Wright, Daryn Pittman, Shane Stewart, Dale Blaney, Terry Gray, Garry Lee Maier, Tim Shaffer, Lucas Wolfe, Greg Wilson, Brian Brown, Travis Rilat, Wayne Johnson, Jake Peters, local legend Tim Crawley and defending STN champion Jason Johnson among an endless list of lead-footed chargers seeking the STN crown. 

And the field keeps getting stouter with each passing day. 

Over the weekend, car owner Donnie Cooper confirmed that World of Outlaws ace Paul McMahan will indeed pilot the potent #01 entry. McMahan is only undefeated at I-30 Speedway, winning both his qualifying feature and the STN finale in 2002, the only time he has ever competed at I-30 Speedway. McMahan gave Cooper the first of his two victories as a car owner, with Tim Montgomery wheeling Cooper's No. 01 to victory lane in 2005. Only Bobby Sparks, with back-to-back STN wins with Wayne Johnson and Tim Crawley in 1997 and 1998, can match Cooper with STN victories as a car owner. 

With McMahan officially in the field, the number of past STN winners vying for another big score is now eight, with others past winners including Gary Wright (2004, 2003, 1999 and 1995), Jason Johnson (2006), Tim Montgomery (2005), Jason Sides (2001), Tim Crawley (1998), Wayne Johnson (1997) and Terry Gray (1994). 

Also entering over the weekend were the likes of Missouri's Jesse Hockett, who provided some of the most memorable moments of the 2006 STN with a dramatic daytime run on a smoldering right rear tire, Michigan's Dain Naida, a former Sprint on Dirt titleist, Ohio's Ron Blair, Nebraska's Stu Snyder, Oklahoma's Foster Landon (the likely 2007 O'Reilly ASCoT Rookie of the Year) and Joe Wood, Jr., and the local father-son combo of Rick and Zach Pringle, with Zach reigning as 2007 I-30 Speedway track champion. 

Pertinent Short Track Nationals Information: 

What: 20^th Annual O'Reilly Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires. 

Where: I-30 Speedway (Little Rock, AR). I-30 Speedway is located seven miles southwest of Little Rock off I-30 Exit 126 (Alexander). 

When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 25-27, 2007. $20,000 to win the STN finale on October 27, with $2,000 to start the STN championship feature. Race time is 7:30 p.m. each night. Rain date is November 1-3. Test 'N Tune session on Wednesday night, October 24. 

Past Winners: Jason Johnson (2006), Tim Montgomery (2005), Gary Wright (2004, 2003, 1999 and 1995), Paul McMahan (2002), Jason Sides (2001), Mike Ward (2000), Tim Crawley (1998), Wayne Johnson (1997), Pete Butler (1996), Terry Gray (1994), John Gerloff (1993), Steve Kinser (1991, ’89 and ‘88) and Sammy Swindell (1990). 1992 finale was rained out. 

The Entries: Entries after the October 14 pre-entry deadline are $250. Entry forms are available at http://www.i-30speedway.com/driverentry.htm or by calling the track at 501-455-4567. 

Current Entries: 

#0 Dustin Daggett (Portland, MI) 

#00 Danny Martin, Jr. (Sarasota, FL) 

#1g Cody Gardner (Benton, AR) 

#1m Andy McElhannon (Hernando, MS) 

#1p Curtis Evans (Norburne, MO)  

#1s Shane Stewart (Bixby, OK) 

#1x Don Droud, Jr. (Lincoln, NE) 

#01 Paul McMahan (Nashville, TN) 

#01x TBA 

#2d Stu Snyder (Waverly, NE) 

#2m Bryce Vowan (Forrest City, AR) 

#2w Kenneth Walker (Sapulpa, OK) 

#3 A.G. Rains (West Memphis, AR) 

#3b Brad Greer (Coultierville, IL) 

#03 Joe Wood, Jr. (Oklahoma City, OK) 

#4am TBA  

#B4 Eric Baldaccini (Keller, TX) 

#4x Jan Howard (Byhalia, MS) 

#5ma Mallory Armfield (St. Joseph, MO) 

#5$ Danny Smith (Sapulpa, OK) 

#6 Mike Dussel (Rising Sun, OH) 

#6b Dale Blaney (Fowler, OH) 

#6n Dain Naida (Belleville, MI) 

#7c Chris Morgan (Topeka, KS) 

#7h Lewis Jenkins, Jr. (Bryant, AR) 

#7m Kevin Ramey (Fort Worth, TX) 

#7s Jason Sides (Bartlett, TN) 

#7w Wade Human (Marion, AR) 

#8 Jeff Wingate (Centertown, MO) 

#8s Steve Short (Farmington, MO) 

#8x Chris Williams (Memphis, TN) 

#8z Zach Pringle (Benton, AR) 

#9 Gary Wright (Hooks, TX) 

#10 Terry Gray (Bartlett, TN)  

#11 Raymond Stull (Hernando, MS) 

#11F Foster Landon (Collinsville, OK) 

#11x Garry Lee Maier (Cimarron, KS) 

#12 Jerrod Hull (Sikeston, MO)  

#12x Robbie Standridge (Springfield, IL) 

#a12 Tim Shaffer (Aliquippa, PA)  

#d12 Doc Sloan (Imperial, MO) 

#13k Lucas Wolfe (Harrisburg, PA) 

#13m Kathryne Minter (Bedford, TX) 

#14 Coleman Gulick (Binghamton, NY) 

#14E Danny Jennings (Norman, OK) 

#14k Kyle Bellm (Nixa, MO) 

#14T Tyler Brown (Vilonia, AR)  

#15b Brad Bowden (Hernando, MS) 

#15h Sam Hafertepe, Jr. (Sunnyvale, TX) 

#15s Nick Smith (Broken Arrow, OK)  

#17b Ryan Bickett (Ramona, SD) 

#18T Tony Bruce, Jr. (Liberal, KS) 

#R19 Scott Winters (Butterfield, MN) 

#20 Josh Howard (Byhalia, MS) 

#20 Eric Lutz (Sioux Falls, SD) 

#w20 Greg Wilson (Benton Ridge, OH) 

#21 Brian Brown (Grain Valley, MO) 

#21p Daryn Pittman (Owasso, OK)  

#21T TBA 

#23 Rob Chaney (Wooster, OH) 

#23b Garry Bell (Cordova, TN) 

#25 Gary Taylor (Sapulpa, OK) 

#26 Marshall Skinner (West Memphis, AR) 

#28 Jonathan Cornell (Sedalia, MO)  

#29 Travis Rilat (Forney, TX) 

#35 Brad Best (Tulsa, OK)  

#35 Jimmy Hurley (Springfield, IL) 

#35r Ron Blair (Troy, OH) 

#38 Rick Pringle (Benton, AR) 

#40 Ernie Ainsworth (Southaven, MS) 

#41 Jason Johnson (Eunice, LA)  

#47 Dale Howard (Byhalia, MS)  

#50z Zach Chappell (Talala, OK) 

#51 Jimmy Brooks (College Station, TX) 

#51 Lee Sowell (Nesbit, MS)  

#51b Mike Boston (Crete, NE) 

#53 Joe Beaver (Knoxville, IA) 

#53 Jack Dover (Springfield, NE) 

#57x Jake Peters (Sioux Falls, SD) 

#58 Wade Oliver (Milan, TN)  

#64J Johnny Miller (Burleson, TX) 

#66 Kenny Taylor (Clinton, AR)  

#69h Larry Howery (Hearne, TX) 

#71 Tim Simmons (Splendora, TX) 

#71b Robert Bell (Colfax, IA) 

#71J John Jacob (Aurora, CO) 

#74e Claud Estes (Godley, TX)  

#75 Tyler Blank (California, MO) 

#75J Jesse Hockett (Warsaw, MO) 

#76 Jay Russell (Elwood, KS)  

#81 Jon Freeman (Salina, KS) 

#86F Josh Fisher (Smithton, MO) 

#86s Eric Schrock (Lake Ozark, MO) 

#87 Brian McClelland (Tulsa, OK)  

#87 Tim Montgomery (Fredericktown, MO) 

#88 Tim Crawley (Benton, AR) 

#91 Darren Stewart (Bixby, OK) 

#93 Bob Schaeffer (New Castle, CO) 

#93c Chris Sweeney (Channelview, TX) 

#94 Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK)  

#94s Natalie Sather (Fargo, ND) 

#94T Steven Tiner (Elverta, CA)  

#95 Matt Covington (Glenpool, OK)  

#97 Mike Brecht (Leipsic, OH)  

#98 Andrew Korte (Centertown, MO) 

Prolific 2007 Feature Winners: Jason Johnson 19, Tim Crawley 16, Brian Brown 14, Shane Stewart 14, Gary Wright 14, Dale Blaney 13, Terry Gray 12, Dustin Daggett 10, Wayne Johnson 10, Lucas Wolfe 10, Jerrod Hull 9, Garry Lee Maier 7, Daryn Pittman 7, Kevin Ramey 7. 

Past STN Championship Feature Starts Among Entered Drivers (Since 1993): Gary Wright 13, Tim Crawley 12, Wayne Johnson 10, Terry Gray 10, Garry Lee Maier 9, Lewis Jenkins, Jr. 8, Dale Howard 7, Jan Howard 6, Tim Montgomery 6, Travis Rilat 5, Jason Sides 5, Darren Stewart 5, Shane Stewart 5, Jesse Hockett 4, Garry Bell 3, Brian Brown 3, Jason Johnson 3, A.G. Rains 3, Kevin Ramey 3, Marshall Skinner 3, Nick Smith 3, Ernie Ainsworth 2, Zach Chappell 2, Jerrod Hull 2, Wade Oliver 2, Daryn Pittman 2, Dale Blaney 1, Claud Estes 1, Cody Gardner 1, Sam Hafertepe, Jr. 1, Danny Jennings 1, Paul McMahan 1, Jake Peters 1, Eric Schrock 1, Robbie Standridge 1, Raymond Stull 1, Steven Tiner 1, Kenneth Walker 1  

The Series: This year's edition of the Short Track Nationals will be the season-ending event for the O'Reilly American Sprint Cars on Tour National series. The 16^th year of competition for the American Sprint Car Series will culminate with the champion, to be determined at the Short Track Nationals, receiving $50,000. 

Current top ten in ASCS National points: 1. Gary Wright (Hooks, TX) 4,280, 2. Wayne Johnson (Oklahoma City, OK) 4,212, 3. Jason Johnson (Eunice, LA) 4,176, 4. Travis Rilat (Forney, TX) 3,976, 5. Foster Landon (Collinsville, OK) 3,477, 6. Darren Stewart (Bixby, OK) 2,697, 7. Nick Smith (Broken Arrow, OK) 2,290, 8. Eric Baldaccini (Keller, TX) 1,851, 9. Andy Shouse (Oklahoma City, OK) 1,740, 10. Kenneth Walker (Sapulpa, OK) 1,723. 

The Format: A version of the popular Sprint Bandits format of heats and qualifying races will be in place for all three nights of competition. Each night, Heat Races will be aligned according to the pre-race draw, with the passing points system in effect. 

Approximately half of the STN entrants will battle through Thursday's qualifying program, with the other half racing through Friday night's qualifying program. Those not locked in after the first two nights (top three from each night) will race through a full card of Heats, Last Chance Races and Qualifying Races on Saturday night to fill out the October 27 STN championship finale. 

Each qualifying night, the top 32 in passing points from Heat Race competition will be inverted in four Qualifying Races with the balance of each Qualifying Race lined straight up with 33^rd in points on back filling out rows five and beyond. The top twenty in combined finishing/passing points from the Heats and Qualifying Races will set each preliminary night's feature lineup. The top three feature finishers from each qualifying feature are locked into Saturday's main event. 

With six cars locked into Saturday’s $20,000-to-win, $2,000-to-start main event, the top twelve drivers in combined passing points from Saturday’s Heats, Qualifiers and Last Chance Races will fill positions seven through eighteen. The final two slots of the STN finale will be awarded to the two remaining drivers that have accumulated the most points through Heat, Qualifying, Last Chance and Feature racing action over their qualifying night and Saturday night. 

Drivers must compete in either Thursday’s prelim or Friday’s prelim to be eligible for passing points on Saturday.  

The Dash will be aligned by a pill draw conducted in “Cheater’s Day” fashion. Thursday’s winning driver will draw the first pill then give that pill to the driver of his choice. Friday’s winner will draw the second pill and give that pill to one of the remaining drivers, and so on until the lineup is determined.  

The COMP Cams Challenge: The drivers finishing first and second in the Dash will have the option to take the COMP Cams Challenge, with the first-place finisher getting first option. Any driver accepting the challenge will start at the tail of the field and has the opportunity to pocket an extra $25,000 by racing from the tail to win the race. 

The Huggins Bonus: The race winner can also collect an additional $1,000 from Huggins Cams if a Huggins Cams decal is displayed on the car. 

The Trade Show: This year’s rendition of the Short Track Nationals will also include the Third Annual Short Track Nationals Trade Show & Midway. Fans, drivers & crews will have the opportunity to visit vendor displays, which will be open each day. The deadline for guaranteed vendor space is Monday, October 22. 

The Tickets: Advance tickets are on sale through Wednesday, October 24, no advance sales after that. Those ordering in advance by credit card receive a discount, with all three nights just $45. Two-day advance tickets are available as well at the same price as day of show. Day of show cash prices are $15 on Thursday and Friday and $27 on Saturday. To order tickets in advance or for more information, call the track at 501-455-4567. 

For more information regarding the 20^th Annual O'Reilly Short Track Nationals presented by Hoosier Tires, contact I-30 Speedway at 501-455-4567.

OKCFan12-

So this is your first STN? Wow, you're in for a treat, that's for sure! (Although you'll be kicking yourself for missing out on the previous years' action when you leave!)

By the time Saturday night is over, you'll have enough memories to last you through until the November Sprint Shootout Nov. 9-10 ( http://cowtownspeedway.com/sprintNOV.html ) and Short Track Shootout ( www.darinshort.com/shootout.html ), that's a guarantee.

Hopefully I'll be able to meet you face to face at some point in the weekend. I'll be there managing the Trade Show/Midway and facilitating the COMP Cams Challenge during the weekend.

And thanks for your plug on the Short Track Shootout. But similar to what happened with the 'Short Track Challenge' becoming the 'COMP Cams Challenge,' ( www.darinshort.com/ccc.html ) I'm hoping we can find a sponsor for this event too in the future.

This is essentially a 2-race 'point fund' but with a twist for the fans - they get to see a race in addition.

It would be great to see this Shootout turn into a five-figure event for the drivers AND adding more cars to it. We're starting small, with the intent to grow it for next - and future years.

We'll just have to see if someone will step up to the plate. Similar to Kevin Ramey's ( www.kevinramey.com ) sponsor, Commercial Music, coming onboard to help offset the hefty weekend purse at Cowtown for the NSS.

I've also got a really cool special award that will be presented to the winner of the Short Track Shootout. As soon as I can get a picture of it, I'll get it online for viewing.

But for 2007, special thanks to both I-30 Speedway and Cowtown Speedway for believing in the concept of the Short Track Shootout, and again, as in the case of COMP Cams and the COMP Cams Challenge, hopefully a sponsor can be obtained to make that segment of the '08 Short Track Shootout as big as it can become.

And for any business who may be interested, the exclusive sponsorship of the Short Track Shootout event is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Long-term rights are also available, as was the case with the COMP Cams Challenge. Just contact me at [email protected] to get the ball rolling. It's late in the procedings for 2007, but if a company still wants to get involved for 2007, that's fine too.

ALL sponsor proceeds will go directly into Short Track Shootout, and the event will be renamed the 'XYZ Company' Shootout.

There are no administrative costs to the sponsor.

So it would behoove drivers and teams that would like to have a shot at some extra season-ending cash to get a potential sponsor they may know involved!

Thanks again to all of the teams, sponsors, vendors, sanctioning bodies, fans and both I-30 and Cowtown Speedway for pulling together to make these events what they are, and to help continue to grow them into the future.

Like I stated on another post, its the outdoor version of the "CHILI BOWL," just a lot less expensive,and a hell of a lot more fun! You don't have to deal with the NASCRAP drop in's stealing away a ride just to get some sort of publicity for themselves. This is some of the best racing, bar-none you will see anywhere in the U.S.

WHY ARE WE HERE? BECAUSE WE'RE HERE. ROLL THE BONES.-
Neil Peart

Just posted a short clip from last year's show, so you can revisit the 2006 STN at www.highvistavideo.com

I will be shooting this weekend, and will try and posted a couple of clips from each prelim night. Stay tuned.

So dmantx is Darin Short? cool. after every Cowtown race I go to I get on your site and High Vista's and relive it. the Hafertepe donuts were cool to watch again and again. It's some cool stuff what ya'll are doin with that shootout. It's gonna add some really good cars and teams to what would already be a good race at Cowtown. along with 2k to win mods it's a barnburner that us Okies look forward to with a lot of anticipation. Should hit up a lot of Cowtown races next year since we got season passes for six flags next year. Cowtown sure is a lot closer to Six Flags than the Bowl. And I think Rawdon is a damn good promoter.

But anyhow yeah this will be my first STN - heck I'll even be doin it all solo from west of OKC too. Might be a bit rugged but 100+ sprints will be worth it. The only other time I been to I-30 for the Sooner Mid South shootout last year I really really like that track. small, wide, and fast as hell. This will be my first year to hit up my personal big 3 races (chili Bowl, Knoxville 360 Nat., and STN) and with Chili Bowl 2008 tickets hopefully I can pull it off next year as well,

One thing is for sure. we will all freeze our butts off Thursday and Fri. and Sat. will be chilly as well. Where will ya be at the track during and after? - I'll attempt to stop by and say hi.

But for info - last year when thursday was cancelled they moved it to fri and fri. to sat during the day. Wouldn't it be better to run both night 1 and night 2 friday if thursday rains out? Just wanderin what they would do since there is a slight chance of rain thursday.

How much would could a wouldchuck chuck if a 
wouldchuck could chuck would

Trust me your money will be well spent and you will go home with a memory that will bring you back again next year.

Darin does a wonderful job, Lonnie does a wonderful job and the Clays do a wonderful job.

You wont be dissapointed!!

See you all at the Nationals this weekend!!!

Another thing I like about I-30 is that they try harder than anyone (not unlike Knoxville) to get the show in. If it is at all possible to race (and not lose any cars in the mud in the pits) they'll get the race in. It is a great show and cars have more than one chance to make the show - that's for sure. And don't miss the drawing for starting places for the Ron Pack Dash for Cash (or is someone else sponsoring that this year?). They don't just draw - but they draw then have to give that starting place to someone else. It can get pretty funny. It can be pay back time in a variety of ways....

okc-

You'll also be able to watch STN clips from High Vista at the STN Trade Show/Midway this year. Should be a lot of (free!) fun!

And I guess I didn't know my screen name concealed my identity very well since it links directly to my website, but it sounds as if it was a good surprise. I've got some Devil's Bowl clips to post on the site in the next day or so too. (I underwent a software upgrade and haven't been able to update my site since the Winter Nationals...)

But to get your STN refresher going, here's a link to some clips/pics that I took last year if you haven't seen them already: www.darinshort.com/race.html then scroll down to the '19th annual STN...' link. That heat race where the entire field got crashed other than one car still amazes me. (And then on the next restart, the lone driver not involved in the red flag lost his right rear somehow, so the entire field wrecked at one point in the race - which I don't think I've ever seen before.)

And to get you kick-started on the Cowtown action, here's some more good clips of action there: http://darinshort.com/ct041407.html .

Regarding the outdoor temperature, just come warmly dressed - and between that, the hot coffee in the concession stand (I always order hot chocolate mixed with coffee - not water, that'll keep you buzzin' and warm) and the hot racing action, you'll be set.

carol14-

I saw you at the Winter Nationals, but you were busy all night 'entertaining' your throng of followers, so I didn't come over to pester you. Hope to see you at the STN...I didn't last year.

DON'T FORGET: 2-day passes to the November Sprint Shootout are on sale at www.CowtownSpeedway.com until November 1. They're just $25 and gets you in for both nights of racing action, plus allows you to purchase up to (2) pieces of apparel in the t-shirt stand at $5 off posted prices, so it's a great deal. And most area and regional drivers we've talked to say that they're coming. We've already received paid entries from drivers as far away as Indy and Sioux Falls for the event. Plus a certain well known driver in this region says "I plan to come, if all goes well at the STN." You'll have to guess who that is...

(what's the cubed root of 729 anyway?)

PS: the Devil's Bowl clips and pics are now posted, and here's the direct link:

http://www.darinshort.com/dbowl07.html

Also, my hotel has wireless in it at the STN, so I plan (that's the operative word in this sentence...) to upload pics/clips from the STN overnight throughout the weekend as well for those unable to attend.

As of Tuesday night, here's the latest on the weather. The bulk of the 'R' stuff is supposed to end tonight, with off/on sprinkles possible here and there until Thursday afternoon. Then it's supposed to be clear sailing from that point on. Stay tuned...

Thu Oct 25 Showers 54°/46° 30%			54°F
Fri Oct 26 Partly Cloudy 60°/47° 20%			60°F
Sat Oct 27 Partly Cloudy 67°/49° 10%

ok so according to just about every weather site available the sun is not gonna come out again BEFORE the green flag is to drop thursday. I-30 doesn't have concrete pits do they? Won't all that rain create a big problem like mud bogs for those big haulers........

Just wondering what they're pit situation is.............I've heard many racers talk about Devils Bowl's pits when it gets wet. also.......if thursday rains out will they run both prelims friday or do like last year and move one to saturday during day? I'm hoping the latter isn't the case.

How much would could a wouldchuck chuck if a 
wouldchuck could chuck would

Last year Thursday did R-O, and they ran Friday night, Saturday afternoon and Saturday night.

They will get all the races in that are scheduled this weekend.

It's up to how friendly 'M. Nature' decides to be as to exactly when they will be run: as scheduled, or revised schedule.

But in either case, it's all good, the complete show will get in regardless.

OKC

Concrete pits @ I-30 ---- sorry - no way. It is a mud pit when they have a lot of rain. But you know how racers endure.

The Devil's Bowl "back 40" pits are much better. Inside the oval is still a problem... especially getting out. I'm sure glad they have improved the parking lot. Once I couldn't find my car... it was covered with much from people trying to get out of the parking lot. Ah - the good ole days.

Darin - you should have come on over at the Bowl. I've been at the STN every year since I'd guess 1995. This year we plan to sit even further into corner 1 than usual. Besides - I'll probably see you at your booth to buy a DVD of this years STN... assuming you take plastic.... I'm also assuming that you have a booth. I think I ordered the DVD last year on line.

We'll be sitting in the Turn 1 grandstands.  Thursday will not be a washout.

check this out.

http://www.weather.com/outlook/events/sports/local/USAR0336?from=interactive_topnav_sports

How much would could a wouldchuck chuck if a 
wouldchuck could chuck would

carol14-

One note, I'm not - nor do I claim to be - a videographer. I leave that to the pro's at www.HighVistaVideo.com . I just post some quick clips on my site to give people a taste of a race they may have missed, or would like to relive.

This year I'm not having a booth at the STN due to time & travel constraints, just managing the trade show/midway. Plus with the addition of the COMP Cams Challenge, I want to make sure to be freed up for that segment of the weekend and be able to spring into action when need be.

Regarding the weather, I again revert back to my comment yesterday. ALL events will be run this weekend, either on schedule; or revised - if it comes to that. Just stay tuned for any developments.

Test N' Tune scheduled for Wednesday, October 24 has been rained out. We are still on go for Thursday, Friday and Saturday for the Short Track Nationals. Pit gates will not open until Thursday at 5:00.

It was a wild and sometimes scary night last night at I-30 on the opening night of the Short Track Nationals.

First off DFW sprint racer turned WoO driver Sam Hafertepe Jr ( www.sam15.com ) had a very strong run. He finished 2nd to fellow WoO driver Jason Sides in his heat race. Then in Sam's 'A Qualifier' (they inverted the top 8 in points for each Qualifier) he was lined up 6th. He finished 2nd, again to Jason Sides.

The track was super fast and rough, and that combination led to some very violent crashes throughout the night. Sam came close to passing Zach Chappell to lock into the Saturday night championship A feature, but bicycled on the last lap trying to pass him on the high side, and 16th place starter Travis Rilat snuck by Sam to end up getting 4th.

Shane Stewart won the feature, with Jason Sides and Zach in tow.

Cowtown racer Claud Estes made the feature race after strong runs in his heat and qualifier, but broke late in the race and DNF'd.

Here's a link to Lonnie's recap (below), and if you're still on the fence - GET UP HERE - the weather is fine - and the action is incredible!

http://www.ascsracing.com/ascsnews.asp?region=1

If you like racing with tons of passing, slidejobs and not knowing who would win or who would transfer, then you would have seen it all at Little Rock last night.

Probably the most pivotal time in the night was coming down the backstretch on the final lap of the 2nd A Qualifier, when leader Lee Sowell broke at the end of the backstretch dumping engine parts on the track. Area favorite - and top point getter from the heat races - Tim Crawley had nowhere to go, ran over the broken engine parts and knocking a hole in the oilpan. And, if that wasn't bad enough, the caution flag came out while all of this was happening, so Tim was a DNF, although he coasted across the finish line. That knocked Tim out of the A feature lineup and will have to requalify tonight.

Kevin Ramey ( www.KevinRamey.com ) made it into the A feature with a three-way tie for 19th in points. Kevin would drop out of the feature late in the race after advancing up to around 14th.

Jeff Swindell made his return to the STN after a 10+ year absence and was solidly in a qualifying position for the A feature when he broke a motor component.

Here's a complete breakdown of the night from ASCS, which includes a great pic of just how close it was between Tim Shaffer and Gary Wright for the lead: http://www.ascsracing.com/racenotes.asp?ID=57334&yr=2007

If you're coming tonight, plan to be there by 6pm AT THE LATEST, as last night's crowd was already huge for Friday, and tonight will be filled to the rafters.