Forum: Oklahomatidbits.com General Forum (go)
Moderators:  /  David Smith Jr

I have seen some good races on the half but for a weekly deal,the 3/8 is the best deal. JMO

Hell I was there when Wolfgang and Kinser traded the lead for the last several laps on each end of the racetrack on the 1/2 mile. It was super cool and I'd like to see that again. I have seen that type of racing since but don't remember it being on a half mile. Peters ran from the back to front almost every night just before the half mile closed. He was really the guy to beat most nights in Grandstaff's #66 back then. But I don't recall anyone else really doing it and certainly don't recall alot of side by side racing then either.

I remember some of those races your talking about to David. I don't think I'll say any more on this subject. Later guys.

There was a guy that won the first 3 weekly sprint championships and had a span of 7 feature wins in a row during that time...and it wasn't Peters.

What is your definition of big time racing? I'd think that Kasey Kahne noticing a guy and giving him a ride would be big time racing. The only time you hear about wingless stuff is when Robin Miller talks, or some Indiana kid comes down for the shootout. Then you get to hear a full week of how brave (of course not their words) those non-wing guys are and how superior their drivers are. Then you ask them why the wing guys can be faster in a non-wing car than a non-wing driver with a wing.

Then they argue a little bit.

Then you point out that you have seen both Zach Chappel and Travis Rilat jump in a non-wing car for their second time ever and and almost win $50,000 (Travis actually won it). And you have seen the Kruser jump in a wing car and pull off slow time at the same track the next night. That usually shuts them up.

Greg Moore - I actually fully agree with you. I highly think non-wing racing is better than winged racing. but I still lovce winged racing just the same if you know what I mean. I still think from everything I have SEEN (keep in mind only a fan) - when the wing comes off you find out who the best drivers are. now of course - that doesn't mean that Jason Johnson or someone like that wouldn;t be good in a non-wing car. I'm sure it takes time like ANYTHING else does. but it says a lot for the drivers who can run well with and without. but jmo as a fan.

but greg I have to agree with cheese and highly disagree with you about winged racing being ignored. I don't know what country you are watching racing in - but I dont see a non-wing equal to the World of Outlaws - do you? "most of the country doesn;t give 2 cents about winged sprint racing" -- ?????? wtf? again - where you at buddy?

thats practically THE thing among the sprint car community. I don't say it just because winged racing is all I see - just as you shouldn;t say it because you favor non-wing over the wings. sorry that sounds confusing. No - in reality - it is the other way around Greg. There are more winged hot spots than non-wing hotspots. The non-wings have Indiana (big time!), and share california and wisconsin with the wings. Badger and IRA(winged) in wisconsin. Ventura, scra, usac, versus Civil War, Golden State, and anything Padgett. basically in Cali the non-wings run the south while the wings run the north. or at least thats the impression I get from all my readings and stuff.

so the nonwing has their own state almost literally and share 2 others with wings. Dude the rest of what the nation sees and wants to see is wings. Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, mostly all wings. now I want it to be remembered - I am only saying that I'm almost CERTAIN that winged sprint racing is about 10 times bigger than non-wing. it would be 20 times but the Chili Bowl is the best race in the world lol. But please remember also - I personally think non-wing provides better action. If I could live anywhere based on area racing it would be Indiana. eastern indiana in fact. because you'd have Kokomo and Gas City in your backyard. but still be really close to Eldora - and reasonable distance from Bloomington, Paragon. a whole bunch of other nonw-ing shows in Indiana, AND - AND - the good winged racing in western Ohio like Limaland, Attica, and Fremont. I'm just saying if you lived around - say in between Gas City and the Ohio state line - you'd have not only a choice between wing and non-wing - but about 6 choices of EACH. that would be my dream place to go for a summer lol.

But I'm glad you mentioned it Greg. its a topic worth debating because - it is a good one. hell both wing and non-wing are great to watch. whichever one is partial to in the end is just apple and oranges - because open wheel circle dirt track can not EVER be beat. and it is with this in mind -------------------that I know what I am personally lookin forward to - and I bet Greg Moore is salivating at..................and that is Thursday August 14th atr Creek County. why you wonder? non-wing 410 sprint bandits, SMRS Midgets, and ASCS2 non-wing micros. thats like a non-wing SPECTACULAR! and so will this weekend at Creek. As we will have the best of both worlds with the OCRS champ sprints wings on/ wings off show.

How much would could a wouldchuck chuck if a 
wouldchuck could chuck would

Wing racing IS ignored by the NASCAR owners. Have a look at www.davidsmithmotorsports.com rankings. He scouts for NASCAR drivers. There is not a single winged Sprint car driver on his top 75 list. At Knoxville this weekend. Where were all the Mopar and Chevy backing at? It wasnt on the back strech pits. Where were the driver development teams? The point I was trying to make about big time racing and young up and coming drivers is this. If you want a carreer in NASCAR ie Trucks, Nationwide or Sprint Cup (that's where the money is)I dont think your chances are good racing wings. Kahne, Newman, Stewart, Gordon, Yelley, Bliss, Leffler, East and now Clauson and Stenhouse Jr, all got there via USAC non wing racing. And if I were to guess Cole Whitt and Billy Boat are next. Again just my opinion, I've never done it and dont know the magic formula to NASCAR but it sounds logical to me. That doesn't mean wing drivers have less talent. We could make a list a mile long of wing sprint drivers that could drive anything. I agree Wing Sprint racing is more popular nation wide, but thats only because most track race them because it is safer, not because it is better racing.

ASCS Midgets... yes it is coming in 2009. They will be powered by an under $10,000 Chevy motor. This is not another Ford Focus type car. They are said to have enough HP to compete with full midgets. Dont know how since a new Mopar is about $30k and the new Chevy is $40k and a good Eslinger is $25k or more. The minimum age will be 14 years old and Oklahoma will have the first region. The Hahn family has taken 360 and now Mini Sprint racing to a new level, so I guess Midgets are next. Should be awsome!

Money isn't everything, but it sure keeps your kids 
close!

Davdi Smith scouts for nascar talents. damn david - just what excatly is it you do?

David - David Bond. and here's my friend Tony.............Tony Bond.

well man if ol Dave is rankin em - I aimt so sure bout em...........

How much would could a wouldchuck chuck if a 
wouldchuck could chuck would

Figure packing the track, hot laps, heat, possibly b featch and an A on a 1/2 mile you are using way more fuel in your car than 3/8 mile. Something to think about during these times of low car counts and high fuel prices.

I was a very little kid when the Tony Armstrong thing happened. My Dad and I still talk about that and I have a picture in my mind of that. It was the wildest flip I had ever seen. I heard he landed on a car that two ladies were on and one fell off breaking her arm and Tony was fine.

Remeber the Joe Wood fire in turn one? scary stuff. The fuel was running down the track while on fire and the charred car sat in the infield the rest of the night I believe.

Yeah, I miss the memories but that was a different day in age.

"They're steering them sum bi***es with their right 
foot!"

So tell us about it already. If I offended anyone, so be it. It wasn't intentional so get over it.

That will be a HUGE gamble. I wish ASCS the very best but the midget deal has had its chances & has never panned out in this part of the country. Still makes no sense to me that Tulsa hosts the greatest midget race in the country/world but no weekly series or shows anywhere within 500 miles I know of.

Wasn't being nasty hot rod. Sounds like you need to take a few breaths and calm down yourself. It was Bruce Jennings. What about Rickey Jennings coming from the back in the 100 inch days to win championships. Danny Jennings had what, 3 championships on it too? He didn't start up front. Another one I can remember is Larry Neighbors.

All I'm trying to say is this. 1. The half mile means a lot to the family, so I would love it to come back. 2. Sure there were races where there was very little passing. There are nights like that on the 3/8's too. But there was passing on the 1/2 mile.

Yes, I have the 1984, 1985 and 1986 USAC/NCRA Silver Crown races on VHS. They was a one man camera and not professional but he done a great job nonetheless.

David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com

No offense taken; hell we all love racing; this just gives us old school guys a reason to make noise! Ya know with the cost of everything, how can we even support another series. Wish them all the luck though. I WILL be at Creek Sat though & get to see em both ways. I guess the most fun is hot laps when it's a little slick & some of the boys still back it in!! Have fun, Jim.

That's about what I thought only I was thinking it was Ricky not Bruce.

My mistake. My comment wasn't meant to stroke anyones ego. Just from what i remembered.

USAC is the premier NON-wing show in the country. The other series that you saw was ASCS, which is not the premier wing show in the country. That is the World of Outlaws, and there are both Dodge and Chevy sponsored cars in the WoO. The only reason any sprint cars winged or non are sponsored by Dodge or Chevy is because of Stewart or Kahne. Not because it is a development deal, but because of the star power of those 2 nascar stars. Comparing ASCS to USAC is apples to oranges. If you're going to compare you have to think WoO vs. USAC.

And this whole getting to NASCAR deal is overrated. Its just not realistic unless you have someone with money backing you.

It's cool man. I know that you weren't trying to make anyone mad, and I wasn't either. It was just a little history lesson for all the young'uns out there.

Oh yeah like your one of those old farts. The equipment you run, maybe.

David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com

cheese ricky stenhouse jr is running arca and winning and he should make it to nascar and he has did it with pure talent they have never had alot of money there is an exception to some and if brady bacon makes it well there you go thats raw talent everyone knows leon has sacrificed alot to get him where hes at

I agree with you Cheese you gotta have the funding. Plus, getting into NASCAR isn't as much about how good of a driver you are. Its who you know and how good of spokesperson you are (hence the high percentage well spoken, "pretty boys" ). Very few drivers get into the NASCAR ranks without the two.

I like dirt!

One of the very best & most entertaining A's on the half mile was probably 85' or 86'. Leep was driving the missle & Danny Shouse was in the yellow Corvette center car. Seems that for about 15 laps they were side by side all the way around & it wasn't done until the checkers. Yeah the Bishop car had independent rear suspension, it was a hand-ful! Jackie Howerton even came down & drove it one night. That guy was good in every-thing but the car broke on him. Good stuff!!