Forum: National Championship Racing Association (go)
Moderators: jrittenoure  /  racechic

I went to the Weekly 81 speedway race this weekend and saw one of the worse wrecks I have ever saw up there. It happened on a restart that was started double file. I was wondering what peoples views were on this? I don't feel that it is safe at all for Sprint Car Racing, maybe for other forms of racing but not in OPEN WHEEL racing.

I think it's a great idea, it keeps the racing exciting for the drivers and fans. The wreck at 81 was a racing incident, that wreck could have happened at the start of the race but it didn't. Every race starts double file so I don't think it's that big of a deal for the restarts to be that way.

I have been told that Logan, Dwight, and Freeman are all doing well and on their way to a full recovery.

Double file restarts are terrible for Sprint Cars! Most sprint car wrecks happen on the start. Most all drivers just want the start to get over with, than they can start racing. I know the benefit of it and sure the fans like it, but what happens when the drivers or owners run out of money putting the cars back together. The fans will not have any cars to watch? What did that race pay to win? The pay will not even pay for the seat that was broken. They quit doing these restarts at most Sprint Car tracks!

It's just a difference of opinions. If the wreck never happened some of the drivers would of said they like the double file and some would say they don't. It's always about money, everything is but the fact of the matter is that wrecks can happen no matter what. If it wasn't a double file restart an the same thing happened what would you say about it then? These drivers know what could happen at any moment on the track.

I would like to know if there is any sprint car driver that likes the double file restart. I don't like it, and I haven't talked to one driver that likes it. I can see the point of fans liking the action, but I agree with the post above. We don't have very many sprint cars at 81 anyway, and if cars start piling up on every restart making all this "action", the fans are going to be watching 7 cars drive around the track. I don't get on these things very often, but I think this a good time to voice an opinion about something. I don't want to see any more drivers getting hurt from this... Luke Cranston

They shouldn't start the races for heats and features double file either, they should all be single file all night long.

David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com

David I wish you would be more serious about a serious issue. The bottom line is the safety of our drivers. Just Luke said I don't get on here much to say things, matter of fact this is the first time!!! I am a former driver myself and have been involved in bad crashes too, maybe that is why I am so concerned for my friends. I am 31 years old and have been going to 81 and other tracks since I was a lil boy, and someone correct me if I am wrong but 90% of crashes happen on the start of a race (which is double file) . I think that I am not the only one that notices it either, if you were at the race they restarted after the wreck in single file. I do understand it is a part of racing but the way they had been doing seemed to work better. I hope people will stand up for this and don't be scared to voice there opinion!!!! Thanks to you that did!!!

Nice editing there Hammerdown.

Some of us are old enough to remember the way restarts were before the cone was used. Cars jumped the start from the back and dared the officials to penalise them. Sometimes they did but most got away with it. It was a judgement call. Then someone (World of Outlaws?) came up with the idea of a cone on the track. Pass the car in front of you before you got past the cone and get penalised a couple of spots or sent to the back for a restart. The cone moved around on the track some. Some sanctions put it on the back straight or 4th corner or front straight but mostly it stopped the jumped starts and got the races restarted without accidents. Good for the drivers, good for the racing program. What's the problem that double file restarts are trying to fix? Looks to me like an accident waiting to happen which it did right in front of me on the track last Saturday. Not enough action? How about three wide starts. What would that prove, that racers are nuts? We race at 81 for $750 to win and $0 if you don't take the checkered flag. How does that justify a crash putting 8 cars out of the race, three cars destroyed and three drivers going to the emergency room. Dwight Schroeder spent 2 nights in the hospital and went home with a neck brace to wear for 6 to 8 weeks. How's that going to affect his job and finances? Yes racers accept risk on the track but it should be reasonable risk. I say NO to double file restarts. Allan Unruh

Three sprint car drivers on the forum so far. Three sprint car drivers have said no to double file restarts. Cranston, Forshee, & Unruh. What does everyone else think? Use your real names so we can KEEP IT REAL.

Hope you read what I post on my own message board and realize not always should one take what I post seriously. I like to break the ice - so to speak.

As a race FAN, which I consider myself first and foremost over anything else, I have seen the double file restarts - er -"Texas" restarts on weekly shows before and was never a fan of it. Why? Don't know actually, just as when I wasn't a fan of the front stretch cone restarts when ASCS first adopted that several years ago. Just never have been a fan of it myself but that is from the fan point of view.

You could look at it as the start of a race where your starting side by side coming down for the green flag. The only difference is that the lead car is by itself. My question to you, that of a driver, what is the difference between the start of the race starting side by side and the restarts starting side by side, the leader not included? And this is only the question for thoughts and opinion, not for debate. Would this topic be raised if not for the terrible accident on the front stretch? Remember, just one lap before, another serious accident could have occured entering turn one that caused the caution in the first place.

I only ask of you, both as a fan and as a person who does his best to get exposure to all you drivers in the NCRA series, is to not bash on here and just call C Ray and tell him of your concerns.

Those are my only thoughts on the matter, for whatever they may be worth.

David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com

First and foremost I do really appreciate what you have done with this website to help the NCRA and Drivers. And I do appreciate you clearing the air about how you feel and not just saying something smart alec.

I think thoughts and opinions are debating, and yes this topic would be brought up because of the higher percentage rate of accidents from the double file restart. To respond to your statement about starting the race vs restarting the race.... The difference is there is only ONE start and there could be many restarts which increases the odds of a wreck resulting in an injury. Which is what I am more concerned with than anything!!!!

Sorry if I have made anyone feel as if I was bashing them, My reason for asking for people's opinions was to see if I was the only one that felt this way before I DID go talk to C Ray about it!!! This is obviously a concern for many other people not just me.

DJ Bybee

I wasn't there to see the wreck but if the drivers feel that double file restarts caused it then every wreck from here on will be blamed on the restarts and not the mistake by a driver on a restart. its about give and take and i think it could work on certain tracks but it doesn't always work. a late double file restart with the latemodels at 81 with a few drivers that did not care what they tore up produced a wreck that was bad but could have been worse. sprints have some issues that the other classes do not they can't rub they can hardly see out of them with the design of the car and side blows similar to the one freeman took the cars are not build to protect well. things could be changed to be safer and i hope they are before something like that results in something worse than a bruised shoulder or a concussion.

in the end wrecks can happen double or single file all it takes is once mistake or one part failure and thats just the way racing is.

I have been DQed. Communist, where is the freedom of speech???

Where is AJ's post???? Bekemeyer Bullet, I have heard the NCRA has taken your advice. The sprint cars will race backwords, over jumps, no seat belts, and you will be DQed if you or your car are still alive at the checker.

Why does the NCRA have a forum if it does not like criticism???????? I hear you loud and clear, just like at the track. " This is my sandbox your playing in"

I'm just writing this to see how long it will stay. David Smith this is Josh Forshee what can a person write on here? Do we all have to say we love the double file restart? Because there were 18 post on here last night and today there are 14. Are you going to just take the post off if to many drivers say they don't like it. Just a question not pickin a fight! I've helped out on a couple racecars with a couple ok drivers and the game plan always was to make it past the start a couple laps and then start racing. The problem you run into at 81 and most weekly race tracks is you have 3 or 4 guy that have

money 2 cars in the trailer and then everyone else has all there eggs in one basket one car with a few spare parts. The drivers with one car know on a restart the guys with money are going to throw the car down in the corner and if you don't get out of the gas he's going to drive right through you thats a fact. That happens on any restart but the double file restart makes it twice as bad instead of dealing with the guy starting behind you you have two behind you and one next to you. We all know the rule is not going to change most promoters don't like to change rules in the middle of the season and I'm not saying just C Ray. I'm just saying look at the stats at the end of the year and there will be more wrecks on restarts then last year.

Well I guess my opinion and concern weren't welcome here? Thats cool...I still vote NO to double file restarts. Thanks. I hope that was a "cleaned" up version.

Do you think we can bring in the lucky dog

Double file restarts are a horrible idea for sprints. The start of a race is the most dangerous part for a reason. There is nothing wrong with the cone starts we use now. I was very young when they finally did away with the old style starts but I remember that everyone was happy to see them go around the OKC area.

I will stand up for David Smith, on the OKTidbits forum he very rarely edits or deletes any posts and if he does it's due to language and/or harsh content.

Brandon Jennings