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

Will someone that is "seasoned" let me know what you think about the starts in Knoxville this week. I am watching from 1000 miles away on turn 2 media. Are the Clarks being consistent with the starts. Seems like I am seeing allot of jumping and no penalties and some penalties for no reason. I want to refer to the people there though.

Tom D

I have not seen the footage, but I would say that this is a common complaint for just about every flagman in the country. I think they draw a line in their head as to what is jumping and not jumping and unfortunately it is an opinion so that line probably gets blurred a lot. I dont think the Clarks are any worse than anyone else in the racing world. No different than a major league ump or an nfl official. If they truly called every single technicality, we would be at the race or game for 8 hours.

I'm with you. I usually think Doug does a good job, but last week was really bad and this week was worse. First heat Pittman jumped from outside row 3 and had the car in front of him passed at the white line...Doug let it go. Next race the initial start looked fine and they call it back for Dobmeier on the pole jumping and penalize him a row. On that restart Gravel jumps from row 4 passing A-Mac before the line, but this start isn't called. That call back cost Austin a transfer spot and a place in the dash. Then Jeffrey jumps the dash, almost wrecks McCarl and nothing was called back. Which is why McCarl coasted to the flagstand after the race hands raised and buzzed the tower. All the Clarks did was laugh. Apparently doing a bad job is funny to them.

I don't even know where to begin with Justin and the 360 A Main where Humston got booted.

I try not to complain much about the track or the offiiciating, but I agree that Humston got a raw deal there. He seems to have some horrible luck! I must say though, after watching the video, that was an amazing display of driving to keep that car off the wall and out of everyones way.

wow really more haters. Me myself show my respect to all officials good or bad, but you all are cutting down 2 of the very best flaggers in all off the land. Really no joke they are . We all must not forget they are people not robots they will miss some calls and i suppose we really dont talk about the good calls either such as holding greens out until safe to throw cautions. As far as jumps go are you guys watching the cars are the flagman cause it matters was the flag waving or not when they get out of line. Btw only the racers and flagman know if they were you cant watch both!! As far as favorites i've never seen it by these two while the flag was in their hands.This is also my opinion if you see them picking(grudges which shouldn't happen) on someone like ie.TMAC gotta think the Big Mac shoulda prolly shut his mouth one time or another. NEVER BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS YOU

Fact number one. The only person who sees the view the flagman sees is the flagman. All of us sitting in the stands see the same cars but at an entirely different view/perspective. Having said that, and being really appreciative of the great job the Clarks do, there were some times during the last couple of nights that really caused some to wonder "what are they thinking?" Especially the Humston shaft-job. Even Ray Charles could have seen that!! And if you really want to get some insight, get yourself a raceciever or scanner and listen to the comments and responses of staff. Enjoyed the 360 Nationals once again. Looking forward to next year, already got room reservations. Thanks to the racers, sponsors, crews, track staff and all who worked so hard with the weather challenges and track prep. Really a first class show for the fans.

They were All Stars controlled starts, not Kville officials.

Doug didn't make the calls Saturday night.

I was listening to the scanner at the races and the officials made every call except one.

On one start (and it was a good start), the officials called it back and Clark let it go.

On the Gravel jump, Doug came over the radio and asked if they wanted a restart because the 89G jumped. He was told to "Let it go".

I'm haven't been impressed with Dougs flagging, but listening to the scanner, it's not Doug.

Doug is just a puppet up there.

Maybe he should step up and make decisions himself.

If he sees it, black flag it.

With a track the size and presige of Knoxville, it's understandable you have more eyes watching the field and determining who jumped, who needs to be black flagged, etc.

It sounds by a previous post that the ultimate command comes from upstairs and not from Doug Clark. Is this common? Is it a change from what had previously been done?

Seems odd that a flagman with the experience of Doug Clark is not the ultimate "decider." But maybe that's the way things are done now-a-days.

Is this heaven?  
No, it's Iowa....Knoxville, Iowa.

I think they may have called 410 calls, it was All-Star race....but doubt the ASCS

I concur shorthair, race control was making most calls, especially when the weather was threatening Saturday night and were in a hurry to get the program done.

I was curious if All Stars were making calls on 410's. Calls helped Pittman, Shaffer, and Gravel..perhaps a theme there.

I can also say that you don't have to be a flagman on a flagstand or an official in a yellow shirt to see if a guy jumps or not. It's pretty simply, nose to tail, in line until the green. When you are outside of, or past another driver at the white line... you've jumped the start. Two eyes (or one good one) are pretty much the only pre-requisite.