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

Go back to 30-35  40 tops. The whole stopping to refuel blows and it started taking rubber at the end of the first 25.

Why? So they can run out of fuel? Makes for great racing and proves who can adjust to what track is doing, etc. if less laps then cut ticket prices back also

Yes, go back to the way it used to be, or put some Silver Crown fuel tanks on the cars and run it 50 laps non-stop.  The mandatory cautions for refueling suck..... just like the truck race at Eldora this year, should have gone non-stop.

I agree go back. Pit strategy should not be a part of sprint car racing.

What's your solution?  Do any of you even know the dilemna Knoxville has?  Even with a 30+ gallon tanks some 410's are hard pressed to turn 30 green flag laps at Knoxville.  Even one or two cautions or restarts would likely mean a fuel stop near the end of the race, or the risk that someone running out of fuel on the white flag lap determines the winner.  With all of the cuations early last night a 30 lap race probably would have had a fuel stop.  So what do you do?  Go to 25 laps?  5 or more cautions and you still have a fuel stop.  

Even with a 33 gallon tank and many of these sprinters using almost a full gallon of fuel per lap at Knoxville you likely don't make it.  So build 35 or 40 or 50 gallon tanks?  How much does that change the race?  You want 25 drivers going all out into turn 1 for $150,000 sitting on 40+ gallons of fuel each?

As a Brown fan, or Sammy fan, yes, it sucks becuase in the old format each of them would have a Nationals win in the last few years.  But for some reason I think most of the bellowing is because it allowed the best driver in the world to win again. I'll take two consecutive 25 lap features anyday over one 25 lap feature.

If Schatz was leading at lap 30 and BRown had passed him on lap 41, no one would be saying a word. 

I'm not a fan of the fI'll stop either, not certain what the answer is but don't like pit strategy being involved Ina sprint car race. Somehow they ran it for 30 laps for the first decade I went...

Bunk,  tires are going to be a big problem with 35-40 lap features.  Who says you will not have to refuel with a 35-40 lap race.  I saw tires on Donny car after race, the rt rear was really worn, almost smooth in middle of tire.  Sure you could put rock hard tires on cars and a huge tail tank, but what will that prove?   I have an idea, lets count all laps, even the yellow ones so we can get the race over fast.

When engines were 700 to 800 HP.  Now most top 900, some close to 925.  HP is a function of energy.  energy needs fuel.  Only answers are

1) fewer laps

2) fuel stop

3) smaller engines (less power)

4) larger fuel tanks

5) Tell them it's 30 laps with no stops and if you run out you're done.  Some years the leaders might  make it, some years the guy putting around in 20th saving fuel will win.

take your pick.

I would have said something anyhow..... I told my wife earlier in the day, I sure hope they don't stop for fuel mid way through the race.....

For as fuel tanks, Silver Crown cars run 75 gallon tanks.....

Twin 25s might not be the basest idea...but the old 30 scenario was a joke.

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

30-35 laps.. I'll take number 5 before I spend my money on a rubber down track any day. 

30 laps....only stops would be for red flag.

The current structure does not resemble sprint car racing.

 
I LEARNED ESP FROM MY MOM

"PUT YOUR SWEATER ON: DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW WHEN 
YOU'RE COLD?"

If They are going to have a fuel stop, then make it just that. Fuel and rear tires and thats it, no adjustments. While we're at it no 25th starter!!!!!!!! The world challange race should have NOTHING to do with the nationals championship race!!!!!

The world challange race should have NOTHING to do with the nationals championship race!!!!!

Amen and ++++++++ a whole bunch!!!!

 
I LEARNED ESP FROM MY MOM

"PUT YOUR SWEATER ON: DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW WHEN 
YOU'RE COLD?"

  Not a big fan of the 50 lapper myself.  The 50 laps for the 50th Anniversary was a neat deal but were past that lets move on!!

  Would like to go back to 30-35 laps myself.

brownie would have won it hands down, end of story.  remember the days when Jalopies were beating and banging, no fuel stops they so why now.  technology is one thing, changing tires half way through a race (mandantory) that pays 150K is absolutely absurd...

Ascot was the greatest of all time..

West Capital wasn't half bad either..

Life is good...

Disagree with almost everything said.  You are entitled to your opinions but I respectfully disagree.  I think the 50 laps races have given a boost to attendance if anything.  Crowd for Saturday nights before the 50th anniversary were getting thinner and thinner.  Since that 50 lap thriller, the crowd has been pretty decent.  The changes to Friday night have also brought more people in.  And the World Challenge idea?  That was by far the most drama that race has ever had.  I thought it was a great idea. 

You guys may not like the changes but they need to happen and they need to happen whenever it looks like the product is not drawing the same interest.  A few years back the interest for the Nationals was clearly fading.  I think the crowds have steadily improved over the last few years.  Might not be from the changes they have made but the changes clearly did not hurt them. 

JMO

I agree.

the changes to Friday night where a great change!! the crowd for Friday night was bigger then the past 5-10 years. get rid of the world challange and do a race between the top 5 posse, knoxville, woo, cali, and true outlaws.