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

Just a few observations after watching 3 of the 4 nights features on Dirtvision (missed the first All Star show due to work when Dollansky won):

First of all, can we stop calling Volusia a half mile? There is no chance in hell that it is even close to a half mile. Like Eldora, the speeds are inflated since the track record is in the 12s. No way the average speed is 130+. It really pisses me off hearing that when its not even close to that..

Next, I had my doubts about the double-file restarts with the WoO, but after watching it for these two nights, how can you not like them? It gets rid of the stupid cone and its stupid placement in the middle of the frontstretch, plus it makes the racing so much closer while racing into turn one. We'll see how they stack up on the bullrings and any possible wrecks.

The only thing I do not like after this weekend was guys like Doug Esh stopping because they had a bad start in the heat and/or stopping after leaders got to traffic so they would not go a lapped down due to the caution coming out, and so he would have a double-file restart coming. Now, I do not know for sure if Esh did this on purpose, but he did stop multiple times during the A features just as the leaders were getting to him on the tail end of the lead lap. He single-handedly ruined a couple of races just as they were getting spicy in traffic, again, if he did it on purpose, and that cannot be tolerated.

Now onto what I seen from the contenders for the year. Mr. Schatz was my initial pick to 5-peat, but after watching the first few nights I don't think its going to happen this year. He had a few problems the first few nights with the All Stars and that never really happens, but when it does, its always under the All Star banner. Joey Saldana started both WoO features in 8th (I believe) and made charges to the front both nights. He has some serious speed this year, and that can be seen in that heat race where he went 6th to 1st in about 2 laps with the All Stars the night he won.

But, it is great to see Steve back on top of his game. He's already half-way to his win total of 2 from last year, and he doesn't have to worry about paying bills since he's with TSR. His car is back to being killer fast and I think he's going to be in contention at every track this year. I didn't have that feeling in the past few years. It'd be great to see him grab his 21st championship this year. We'll see if Meyers is able to hang with these 3 teams and their Nascar money throughout the year. I think we'll see a slight drop from him this year, and see these 3 teams battle it out to the end. Visit my blog for my predictions, if you wish.

Lastly, praying for the Darrah's and hope Cody can get back out there sometime soon. Haven't heard a prognosis of how long he's out, but this sucks to see for someone who was so excited his rookie season. Kasey will find a great driver to fill in the #91 in the meantime if he doesn't hire within through Brad Sweet.

Would love to hear how anyone else feels on these topics...

BIG J

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."

Wouldn't Kinser have to worry even more about paying Kraig's bills though. Just sayin.

...

Applause to the OP for the comment about bogus speed figures based on fictitious track sizes. One of the recurring themes I have never understood about this board is the obsession with speed figures from true half-miles and 4/10 miles that claim to be half-miles.

I thought the same exact thing, pittmanfan.

Partially sponsored car for Kraig... "interesting" crew... hopefully they surprise some people. Not surprising too many people so far... but we're a handful of races into the season.

Recall the TK ride with Kinser a few years back... didn't last. I'd love to see TK in the Kinser 11k right now... but that's just me. Steve is doing a lot for his son, as most fathers that could would do. Many kudos for that, King.

I'd like to see Steve Kinser win a lot this year and retire with the title, going out on top. (that took a lot to say... not a Kinser fan. DEFINITELY appreciative of the King, though)

Agree with most of your observations sitting at the computer... with exception of size/speed.

If you're familiar with Google Earth, there is actually a ruler tool that will allow you to measure a path around the track and get its exact size (pretty interesting really, particularly if you like to call BS). That said, using the center line in the corners and sweeping out against the guardrail on the straights, VSP measures .44. If you measure using the cushion then sweeping out it is .46 (which is the line they typically run qualifying). Ironically, Eldora measures out exactly the same, obviously with different shape and banking.

I don't know many tracks that would call themselves a .46 mile or .44 mile, 1/2 mile seems fair to me! And if you've ever been there when the track is fast like it was early last week... you would never question them averaging 127.89mph (Solwold track record from 2007 = 12.948 with .46 distance) or quick time last week of 13.2 at 125.45mph. That place will flat take your breath away 140mph+ on straights.

Thanks for the responses.. so regarding the 11K do you really not believe that some of Tony's money isn't being filtered down into Kraig's car? Do you really think Steve would fill the seat his son had for the last 2 years without a little financial help to get Kraig back in the family car? Seems like common sense to me without confirming anything.

BIG J

"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."

ok calistoga speedway mesuerd 0.51 and its a 1/2 mile

Robert Bond    San Jose Ca

So why didn't Tony just start another team? Obviously, there is money coming out of Steve's back pocket no matter how you look at it. I actually think he is footing the major bill for the 11k. With Tony cutting some of his USAC stuff, I highly doubt he would complete pick up Kraig's tab.

I'll take a tight and lead-changing race at 90 MPH anyday over a taxi-cab race at 130 !!!!!

TSA...It's not a GROPE...it's a Freedom Pat!

it's going to be a big deal if drivers stop to get caught back up....maybe a penality of some sorts... 1 lap penalty if it obvious you just stopped on the track. WoO needs to take a long look at this

origopnwhlr... by feature time at VSP they were in the mid 14's... which would have been just over 100mph...

Thank you speed1.

Personally, I always enjoy the comments of those in attendance at the race.

Question: Were the leaders swapping position or was it follow-the-leader?

TSA...It's not a GROPE...it's a Freedom Pat!

It's not an obsession with speed but the thruth. There is no way they are going around Husets Speedway at 126 MPH average speed. No no wwwy!!! Naw goonna haappeenn!

Lawlessness + liberalism = HELL -  NYC, Detroit, Chicago, 
Seattle, LA  Who the H runs those cities. 

Wednesday was not very good... track was still at qualifying speed in a-main because of the moisture left from the rain out of practice

Thursday and Saturday were good solid sprint car races, entertaining with a couple of lead changes and a couple swaps.

Sunday was an awesome race and anyone who would say differently just wasn't there. Kaeding had a pretty good lead for about 10 laps until he hit traffic, Kinser reeled him in and passed him and the two raced side by side for a couple laps with Kaeding retahing the lead with a cross-over move and holding it for a couple laps while Saldana ran up on them. Three-wide in traffic, with the three of them trading laps on the bottom and top, Saldana actually turned left into the pit opening in 4 so far to get under a lapped car that he had to jerk it back right to keep from hitting the opening... then the two of them got away from Kaeding and Saldana had a right front to Kinser's left rear on entry to one and Steve chopped him hard. Kinser snookered Saldana pretty good on a restart, but the 9 kept the pressure on the extreme outside with the 11 on the bottom while Lasoski and Schatzwere side by side for the last 4 laps as they punted Kaeding to 5th I think.

i watched on dirtvision and you are correct. It was a good race. Traiffic helped. That's the only problem with double file restarts is it probably takes a lap or two more to get to lapped traffic but I do like the new rule.

This is what a real 1/2 mile looks like kids.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If-V0XO-mpo (Limiteds/358's)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zcWR6sW9KY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_xtEquzouY

This is a interesting thread. Thanks for those who have posted to this point for that....

On that note I hope people actually get on here more to talk of the races they see this year. Maybe that matters more to me now than before - because my weekly track here in OKC wont be runnin this season (if ever) - but I've always kind of been interested in it.

I like the Big J reports and Husets stuff. the notes and results from Farmington. The same with Central PA racing. Singlefile gets some good conversing stuff goin bout it and is always open to many questions. Would like to see more detailed stuff from Ohio and Indiana - 2 states of racing that fascinate me. Lonnie Wheatley does a simply outsatnding job with the ASCS website - as well as the Vleck (sp?) fella that writes in such fine detail about the Patriot region races. I really enjoy Bill W's writings. Kevin Eckert's ramblings is the best read ever and probably always will be. But I would really like to hear more. Would like to see more stuff from Missouri's weekly tracks and WOW stuff. I hope some NM race fans get on this year - would love to hear about the big 305 and ASCS races out there this year (who knows maybe win the lottery and just go lol). I enjoy the talk about ASCS races, WoO races, and All-Star races (believe it or not lol - as long as its not the bs from Katich -- just being honest here lol). Lastly, I'd really like to see detailed info from the California, Oregon, and Washington racing scenes. I think I know/see less about than anything else.

I know many would say - just go see these races. But it's just not practical for me. I do get around Oklahoma quite a bit. Half a dozen or so trips to Texas every year (Cowtown and Devils Bowl). Maybe an I-30 or Dodge City/Jetmore trip here or there. And of course the Knox 360 Nat's. And I do see about 12 or so tracks in Oklahoma - maybe more this year with no SFS. Plan to see a lot of micro racing as well - LOVE I-44 Speedway here in OKC. But anyways. outside of the micro races - I like putting results and quick recaps together. Hope to maybe share some on here this year - been dong it on the Oklahoma/Tidbits forum for a while now. But think that its rather unreasonable to wish/hope for other to do the same if I don't as well. On David Smith's forum on here - we've got it going pretty good with results and recaps. Many nights last year we would have results maybe even stories from 6 or more tracks some weekends - that may not sound like a lot. But just a couple years ago - many weekends there were none. I hope maybe the same type of thing could happen on this forum - it could bear so much neat and informative info and really broaden horizons for many. not meaning that negatively like folks need it - but wouldn't it be cool to read recaps and bits of info from tracks all across the country and from fellow race fans? There can never really be enough.... Ok I have really run far with this lol. Should maybe just post this in a more specific form later or something.

As I have taken the long way around - I was thinking when Big J wa stalkin bout Volusia being a small halfmile (if one at all) - I think the same about Devils Bowl Speedway in Mesquite, TX. Because many years I have seen both Knoxville and Devils Bowl in the same season. Unless Knoxville is bigger than a half mile............. Devils Bowl is just noticeably smaller than Knoxville. I know the shape/banking is much different. And not to complain about devils bowl - its a fast SOB - but.......it just seems more like a 4/10ths. Does anyone know the exact sizes of Devils Bowl? or maybe do that neat Google thing Speed1 was talking about?

sorry if this was all too much rambling.

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

Your supposed to measure a track by the inside berm not the outside. It's pretty simple so I dont know why tracks continue to lie about the size, like Eldora just for a quick example.

Cheers!

That is the way I have always heard how a track is measured. When you stopping by for that drink, Henry? After Santa Anita one day?

"Ralphie, Senor, muchas gracias por una mas cerveza"  -
Scott Daloisio @ the PAS