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

LOL at the Knoxville homers in this thread claiming that the Late Model Nationals will surpass the World 100.

+1

I assure you they are not all Knoxville homers....  

My take on it is, If you're in it for the Party go to Eldora, If you're in it for the Racing then go to Knoxville. Just my $.02.

I wish our Homeboy "Birky" would come out of Retirement for the Weekend to compete.... Unlike Sprint Car drivers when a Late Model Driver retires, They really mean it! Lol.

Like most topics on this message board, the debate has taken a hard right turn from where it began.  It started because the statement was made that while the World 100 is the crown jewel of Late model racing, the Knoxville Late Model Nationals were gaining fast and within just a few years would overtake it as the top late model race.  We can debate racing and quality of it forever.  Though I would debate that the racing at Eldora in the last 5 years has been as good as ever.  I went to I-55 for the Ironman 55 2 years ago.  The racing was magnificent, however; I didnt leave thinking, this event will overtake the Knoxville Nationals or the Kings Royal in a few years, because the racing was really good tonight.  I had a great time and came away very impressed with the hometown pride and feel of the Prairie Dirt Classic this year (including a last lap pass for the win), but it will never replace the World 100.  We can debate this, but in response to the original comment, this is really not debatable! 

The topic was "Only 38 cars showing pre-registered,  should we worry" and that has been answered with a resounding NO.  There will be a full field plus all three nights. 

The debate over THE crown jewel or A crown jewel is not debatable either,  both are subjective.   For some,  Knoxville has already surpassed Eldora, for some it never will.   Both are correct!     To me they are both crown jewels with unique attractivness.   I sure would attend both if I could,  but I would also attend Indiana Sprint Week, Oval Nationals, Yankee Dirt Track Classic,  4 Crown, Chili Bowl, Belleville, etc.   This year I chose 4 Crown over Knoxville LM Nat's but just because I have not seen a USAC/WoO race at the house that Earl built yet.  

It's hard to say what the future will bring,  but with Knoxville undergoing it's third management change in the last three years and Eldora having one a few years ago and making major changes to the traditional World 100 format.....well, these sort of things bring all sorts of changes,  sometimes for the better and sometimes not. Again, that is subjective.   

That is an accurate assessment.

Good points all the way around.

I agree with your view of subjective, something that is based on opinion rather than facts.  In terms of accuracy, The second paragraph of the second paragraph should accurately say, "For a few, Knoxville has already surpassed Eldora, For most it never will.  Both are correct!

I'm hearing he'll be back next year... had some offers to drive stuff this year... turned them down.  

LM drivers are the worst for un-retiring!    In eastern Iowa alone I have heard Webb, Boley, Wendling, Sanger, Barker, and several others announce they were done and then get back in a year or two later.  

IMO, while I know it can move around, I will keep going to the Dirt Track World Championships. They had 89 LM and 84 Mods for the weekend and all the racing was really good and I am not a very big LM fan. Oh, and the party was pretty good as well.

DA

63 Lucas Oil Late Models signed in tonight at Knoxville...will certainly be another great 3 nights of racing!

http://www.knoxvilleraceway.com/Results.aspx

Yea, there's no racing at the World 100. The last four years have seen Brian Birkhofer win from eighth, John Blankenship win from 12th, Scott Bloomquist win after restarting dead last and Jonathan Davenport win from 18th.

A fast car can win from anywhere at the World, and it has been proven over the years.

Hey Speedbump,

Did you attend the Yankee this year?  I made my first Saturday night trip over there in 14 years!  I was not however, able to see the entire show.  My wife and daughter both fell ill while in the stands.  I was able to watch what amounted to the Friday night show that was rained out the night before.  Started at 5:30.  I thought the heat and B=main racing was absolutely amazing!  Even with the sun, the dust, and the quick rubber down there still managed to be excellent action and passing.  They pushed a ton of cars through those qualifying races in 3 classes and all before 9:45.