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

Honest to goodness question related to dominance and perception in respective series.  Donny Schatz continues to be dominant and garners his fair share (that’s putting it liberally) of critics: TC, “cheater,” etc. 

Dale Blaney has been on a tear through ASCOC and there’s no mention of “cheating,” TC, etc.  Not trolling as I am a fan of both drivers, just curious why this is.  Schatz has won approximately 41% of WoO wins, Blaney about 38% of ASCOC Point Race Wins (no Florida and no King’s Royal).

IMO both guys have worked hard for years honing their craft and are reaping the rewards of said work.    

Competition?  WoO = Higher profile series?  Perceived reputations?  Combo of all three?

I think the first two points are one in the same.

And to try and give some perspective, Darrah had two wins and 17 top-fives in 94 WoO shows in 2014. He's got two wins and 12 top-fives in 35 ASCoC shows in 2015. It's really the only somewhat common link to try and compare between the two.

WoO competition is definitely tougher - everything from the driver skill level to the equipment. 

ASCoC is as strong as it's been in years, but it's still not the Greatest Show on Dirt. Both Darrah and Blaney have snagged WoO wins this year and are more than capable of competing with them, but night in and night out Schatz is beating tougher competition in more impressive fashion. 

Prep the race tracks properly and the tc debate is out the window. 

Luna's Ford engine style that won 2 WoO titles and 3 
Kings Royals before a weight rule against the best EVER
in their prime and now DOMINATES super dirt late model
racing is no longer allowed/wanted in a WoO sprint
car.... Was Luna a miracle worker?

 They both have traction control 

So make racetracks fast and narrow so everyone is wide open and whoever starts on the front row wins? Yeah sounds like a good idea to me

Let's say that's definitively true. Why does Schatz get raked across the coals and there's rarely a mention of the word "cheater" when talking about Blaney? Again is it bc Schatz is in higher profile series beating better competition or is it their perceived personalities? Both? Again not an apologist just a fan of both. Honestly curious about others feelings on subject. 

The label of "cheater" for Schatz is more because I think some fans just do not like him for one reason or another so they automatically associate that he cheats because he is not their "choice." I am not a fan of Donny Schatz but what he has accomplished in the past few years is impressive and very respectful. I do not think he cheats nor does Dale. Out of the two, I think Dale is a more likeable guy as perceived by the fans. He is not combative, respectful in his interviews, carrys himself well, and is a great ambassador to the sport. I think Donny is the same but because of either hatred, jealousy, or bad experience Donny gets the bad deal.

Good stuff Nick. Agreed.

The traction control debate at this level is laughable at best. How many times have you guys seen one of these cars jump the cushion, you think they are going strait for the wall, and all of a sudden the car breaks sideways when they mash on the gas and save it? Do you think that would be possible with traction control? These cars have to be able to break the car loose numerous times throughout the night. If you are running traction control that would be impossible. 

I love how people continue to debate this in the top level of sprint car racing. Fact is, you are actually at a disadvatage if you have it. Now, modifieds, stock cars,  hobby stocks, thats a completely different story. But 410 sprint car racing, unless you want to run mid pack, you will not have traction control. Period.

Schatz has won 8 out of 9 knoxville nationals, the level of dominance is not even remotely comparable. 

Very true, but I'm not directly comparing Schatz and Blaney.  The comparison is their dominance over their respective series.  I could've used Balog and his dominance over the IRA as well.  I think you answered my quesiton - Schatz has dominance at a "higher profile" and thus that is the reason for the difference in opinions/reputations of him and Blaney.