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

What is your opinion of drivers these days staying on the gas as they spin out? It seems like it's a common thing that if someone loses it they keep the hammer down to try and get a yellow but keep their spot for an inadvertent yellow. 
 

From what I have seen the majority of the time it doesn't work or it leads to a serious crash. We saw this happen again at Knoxville last week. Sometimes I think these drivers feel invincible or like anything is possible do to these "spectacular" saves on IRACING and other platforms. Sure if it works it looks cool but when it doesn't it can be disastrous. This is a good way to either get broadsided or be broadsided.
 

So what do you think? I am usually not one for more rules and regulations so I'm a little torn but I see a slight safety concern as giving their spots back for an inadvertent yellow promotes bad habits of trying to save their car in a bad situation. 

In the UMSS if you do a 360 staying on the gas it is an automatic DQ.  This was instituted to try to prevent the pile up of oncoming cars.  I know as a driver if someone is spinning out you can usually anticipate where the car is going and try to avoid it.  When they are spinning and on the gas you never know what direction they will end up heading so you have to guess. Sometimes you are right and sometimes you are wrong.

I can understand it in some cases.   If a driver has already caused one caution, many tracks will send the driver to the pits after they cause the 2nd one.   Or if a driver is running up front and can loop the car around and only lose a position or three, as opposed to causing the caution and being sent to the back I can see it.   Does seem like a very dangerous option though.   

Makes sense to me. Once they are moving again anticipation goes out the window and it's more of a game of chicken.

That's why I don't like overbearing rules/regulations but not sure if a driver in the heat of the moment can make that judgement call. It would have to be firm series or track rule in my mind instead of a judgement call for an official as well.

I think most guys do it because they know if they stop they go all the way to the back and lose X amount of dollars for the night. Running in the top 10 making over $1000 or more depending the sanctioning body but if you spin you go to the back and only make about $500. I have seen some guys do it and only lose 1-2 spots, but I have also seen guys either get hit by someone or create a huge dust cloud for everyone to driver through. I think the All Stars made a rule that if you spin the yellow comes out right away and you go to the back in order to prevent guys from doing it.

Right. I've been watching different sanctions on PPV & forget which ones have that rule. I think USAC also?

I have mixed feelings about it. Its cool to see them recover & keep racing, but no doubt its dangerous

It is similar to the charge/block rule in basketball.

It is difficult to make a call instantly on something happening so quickly.

Personally, I feel that if a car does not come to a stop, there should not be a yellow flag.

Thats a hard call!

Ever ref a basketball game?

I tried it twice, Rec league games, & i'm the first to admit i was awful (& I think I know a lot about basketball)

Much harder than it looks. Even the very best refs blow calls

Never reffed.   I ran the clock and scoreboard for several years and that was hard enough.

I have also talked to several referees, many players, and some coaches and most concur on the charge/block.