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Topic: Eldora...First impressions...
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Page 3 of 4 of 74 replies
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July 17, 2007 at
04:11:04 PM
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...Eldora...I love that big old dusty .4325236231538 mile track...I don't give a $h!T what BRR, hawkeBRR, or coBRRa says about it...
...funny how the same group of guys that says statistics have little value in racing conversation, actually took the time to not only measure the length of the racetrack, but to find out "exactly" how fast the cars are running...priceless...
...can't wait to see what's planned for the Royal next year...maybe you guys can spend your weekend measuring the banking and give us a report on that...or how about a chemical breakdown of the dirt...LOL
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July 17, 2007 at
05:44:17 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: Coachbob on July 17 2007 at 02:18:15 PM
I too will feel blessed not to have you at the Royal next year Hawker. It's really hard to understand for me. When I first met you a few years ago, I thought you really were a great guy. Somewhere along the line you have turned so negative and bitter that you are nothing more than a BRR clone...the king of bitter, though far less knowledgeable than you, I thought.
It seems like the only thing that brings you joy is when you, BRR and Cobra have your little circle jerk of negativity on here. Maybe you three should try a girlfriend. Amazing what it could do for your attitudes.
As for the racing, it's a dirt track for cripe sakes. I felt the 40 mile an hour wind, I realized (sunburn to prove it) that it was 80 something degrees. I also understand (and I'm no airplane mechanic or rocket scientist) that ANY dirt track is going to get dusty under those circumstances. I merely traded my turn three tickets in for turn one. Not a speck of dirt on me.
Sure I would have liked to see a four car battle for the lead, but Schatz just checked out. It happens everywhere on occassion. Despite the fact I am not a Schatz fan, and despite the fact he checked out, I still found plenty of racing to keep me interested and excited. Running on the wall, trading nasty slide jobs, setting moves up a lap or more in advance, it doesn't all have to happen out front to make a race interesting. Any race is what you make it, you can find the positives if you want to or you can bitch, even if hung with a new rope. I think I'll stay positive. I have friends who read this board who are no longer physically able to go to the track. I am sure they would gladly take everything that bothers you just to be able to go to the track.
I have been to every major track in posse country, every one of them have been just as dusty and some MUCH more so than what Eldora was this weekend. At no time was there this much wind along with the temps and sun. In eight trips to the Grove, I have yet to see what you would call a good race, but I still enjoy being there. A bad day at a dirt track is still better than an average day at home.
You are supposed to be such a nonwing devotee, so why don't you just do Sprintweek, they need a few more bitter old timers in their stands. Those who were there that I have spoken with have noted how the racing was blah and conditions dusty, despite the abscence of wings and despite Gas City and Lawrenceburg being lauded for their heavy tracks. (all have said Kokomo rocked) It was even addressed on here how bad the conditions were. I was at the L-Burg Thursday show and got dirtier there than either night at Eldora. The racing was not as exciting as either Eldora night either. But again, I still enjoyed it. Maybe a new hobby is something you should look in to. It makes me sad to see anyone so unhappy. Like my buddy George says....Life is short, play hard!
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Wow, telling it like it is, is negative. Sorry that you too have been brainwashed into thinking that piss poor track conditions are "a great night at the races". The reason my posts on here are more critical today than they were 10 years ago on this very forum is because it is getting worse and worse.
When I show up at the track and look at it and it has only been bladed and not opened up on the day of the race, and they then start watering it around 11:00am, well, that is just pure stupidity. I can't believe that it seems that the majority of the so called "experience fans" just go with it like cows to slaughter. Well, I'm not. I will not sit by and watch these idiotic track owners ruin the sport, because that is exactly what their doing. I have always given my opinions on new tracks that I visit and I will continue to do so. A month ago, I went to Bloomington for the first time and I relayed my thoughts on the place. It was not negative because there was absolutely nothing negative about it. The wind was blowing, it was 93 degrees, and the track surface was awesome. Don't give me that shit about weather conditions dictating track conditions. You have to WORK the track and not just on the day or day before the race. Perris in California is in the MIDDLE OF THE FREAKING DESERT and though I have never been there, I have never heard of a dusty track. So don't blame laziness and not willing to spend the money on piss poor track conditions.
Nowhere in any of my "Eldora posts" have I bagged on the racing. The racing was average when compared to the other races I have seen this season. I truely enjoyed watching guys tempt the wall and pulling the monster slide jobs. But you have to admit, the dust was out of control. A person shouldn't have to trade for another seat when going to the races.
Speedweek, yeah I've been and I'll go back. As I've stated before, I try to hit tracks that I've never been to before and last week Eldora was one of those.
I've stated it over and over again and I won't stop until I see change. You people was to "save the sport". It isn't going to happen when first time fans go and get tared and feathered.
Member of this message board since 1997
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July 17, 2007 at
07:18:15 PM
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..."I will not sit by and watch these idiotic track owners ruin the sport, because that is exactly what their doing."...
...since this topic is about Eldora I can only assume Tony Stewart is included as an "idiotic track owner"...
...let's see...I am pretty sure it is not just a rumour that Stewart has invested his own money into at least 3 different race tracks, 4 different USAC teams, a WoO team, and personally sponsors racers all over the country...ruining the sport ???...besides the fact that he is a USAC triple crown winner, and one won on just about every type of race track in just about every type of race car...you're right, what the hell could he know about running a race track ?...
...not only is he putting his own money into a sport he is "trying to ruin"...I'd say he has a pretty good background to be a track owner...granted it doesn't compare to a 10 year veteran of the Hoseheads message board that invests his opinion into the sport...
...hopefully for the sake of all of us and Eldora Speedway, Tony makes a call to the all-knowing keyboard jockey Hawker...and he, and he alone, will save our sport and Eldora Speedway...CAN I GET AN AMEN ?...
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July 17, 2007 at
07:27:08 PM
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save your breath folks...the true belivers do not want to hear from the paying fans, no matter how many times you have endured dust bowl conditions.
the only way to be positive about the direction the sport is heading is to watch a movies on one of the biggest race nights of the year, or buy some penny stock common shares.
no wonder PA Speedweek dwarfed the WoO crowd again this year.
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
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July 17, 2007 at
07:44:08 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: gasitup71 on July 17 2007 at 07:18:15 PM
..."I will not sit by and watch these idiotic track owners ruin the sport, because that is exactly what their doing."...
...since this topic is about Eldora I can only assume Tony Stewart is included as an "idiotic track owner"...
...let's see...I am pretty sure it is not just a rumour that Stewart has invested his own money into at least 3 different race tracks, 4 different USAC teams, a WoO team, and personally sponsors racers all over the country...ruining the sport ???...besides the fact that he is a USAC triple crown winner, and one won on just about every type of race track in just about every type of race car...you're right, what the hell could he know about running a race track ?...
...not only is he putting his own money into a sport he is "trying to ruin"...I'd say he has a pretty good background to be a track owner...granted it doesn't compare to a 10 year veteran of the Hoseheads message board that invests his opinion into the sport...
...hopefully for the sake of all of us and Eldora Speedway, Tony makes a call to the all-knowing keyboard jockey Hawker...and he, and he alone, will save our sport and Eldora Speedway...CAN I GET AN AMEN ?...
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Yes, given the 2007 history of Eldora, I would call the decisions of Tony as a track owner "idiotic". Why try to reinvent the wheel? How many years did Eldora sucessfully operate without changing the banking or the dirt? How many cars were destroyed during the USAC visit earlier this season because of those decisions? I'm sure that Tony wasn't as worried about it as the other car owners, after all, it's just money, huh?
Yes, Tony is a great driver. A driver that I have supported since he broke onto the scene, that doesn't automatically make him a great track owner. Just ask Steve Kinser when he and Tony had a nice heated discussion over his track prep a while back. With your reasoning, Steve should know 100x's as much about running a track than Tony. Driving a race car is a bit different than running a track.
Say what you want about me, but I have seen my fair share of races over the past 45 years, plus I have worked on cars and I have worked for tracks and my family was involved in racing for over 30 years, so I know what good racing is. The "Johnny Come Lately" fans have been fooled into thinking that this is "just the way it is", just drink more alcohol and it will be OK...
Member of this message board since 1997
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July 17, 2007 at
08:13:51 PM
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...usually I think you are one of the most knowledgeable people on these message boards...but I just think it's foolish for you to have such a strong and decisive opinion on Eldora after ONE trip on granted a not so great weekend of racing...
...just seems like you're visit was a little too heavily influenced by one or two cynical fans...would your opinion been the same had you sat with Coach Bob in turn one or Bill W on the front stretch ?...I guess you do what you got to do to maintain BRR as an ally on this board...just funny you are willing to attack one of the best dirt tracks in the country to do so...
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July 17, 2007 at
08:22:53 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: gasitup71 on July 17 2007 at 08:13:51 PM
...usually I think you are one of the most knowledgeable people on these message boards...but I just think it's foolish for you to have such a strong and decisive opinion on Eldora after ONE trip on granted a not so great weekend of racing...
...just seems like you're visit was a little too heavily influenced by one or two cynical fans...would your opinion been the same had you sat with Coach Bob in turn one or Bill W on the front stretch ?...I guess you do what you got to do to maintain BRR as an ally on this board...just funny you are willing to attack one of the best dirt tracks in the country to do so...
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Ok, put yourself in my place for once.
For DECADES you have heard the stories of one of the top 3 track in the nation. FINALLY, you get to go. Expecting blinding speeds, mega passes, 3 wide in every corner. You walk away, nose, throat, ears full of dirt, your eyes were lucky because you were smart enough to bring goggles. What is your impression? Do you spend more vacation time and several hundred dollars and take another chance for the track to rediem itself?
Actually, the guys I camped with, for the most part weren't as bothered by it as me, so don't think that there was any outside influence in my opinion.
If you have followed my posts as you say, then you would also know that I blasted Knoxville for the megadusting recieved on Friday night at the Nationals about 4 years ago.
Member of this message board since 1997
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July 17, 2007 at
08:50:13 PM
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And what did that accomplish, Hawker. Maybe you should do this sport a favor and start promoting a track of your own. A man with all of the complaints should be a man with all the the answers. Otherwise, you just have a bitch.
Savage
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July 17, 2007 at
08:54:39 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: Hawker on July 17 2007 at 08:22:53 PM
Ok, put yourself in my place for once.
For DECADES you have heard the stories of one of the top 3 track in the nation. FINALLY, you get to go. Expecting blinding speeds, mega passes, 3 wide in every corner. You walk away, nose, throat, ears full of dirt, your eyes were lucky because you were smart enough to bring goggles. What is your impression? Do you spend more vacation time and several hundred dollars and take another chance for the track to rediem itself?
Actually, the guys I camped with, for the most part weren't as bothered by it as me, so don't think that there was any outside influence in my opinion.
If you have followed my posts as you say, then you would also know that I blasted Knoxville for the megadusting recieved on Friday night at the Nationals about 4 years ago.
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...ok I am not willing to get into a 3 day pissing match with you over this...I am just trying to make a couple points...
...one...I think it is TOTALLY insane to think that Tony Stewart is an "idiotic track owner" that is trying to "ruin the sport"...I think I covered my reasons above...
...second...I guess it's your loss and not mine if you choose to never see a race at Eldora again...having never seen a 4 Crown Nationals or any other race for that matter...
...and yes I do know exactly how you feel...I attended my first Indiana Sprint Week show at Gas City this past Friday...the track conditions were not that great, and the racing was not everything I heard it was...but it will not be my last trip to Gas City, or will I attack the track based on my "first impressions"...
...do as you will and enjoy the races wherever you choose to attend them...
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July 17, 2007 at
09:02:59 PM
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Savage - I have more than a bitch, I also have a wallet. I have seen a number of KR's on TV and in years past, it was pretty much standing room only. Not so this year. Tons of empty seats, people who buy tickets have a big say in things.
gasitup71 - I you have read all of my posts on this subject, you would know that I have already made plans for the 4 Crown. I only stated that I doubt that I would go to another KR. I can only imagine what kind of show that USAC would put on there.
Member of this message board since 1997
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July 17, 2007 at
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Hawker-I was at Pevely, Limaland and Eldora this past week. Lima was more than dusty it was flying dirt. Pevely was also flying dirt. If you want a white shirt race in the summer in the midwest maybe you should try pavement. BTW......I enjoyed the racing at each track. I hope that Tony and the Eldora staff consult you so that improvements can take place. I can see you could be a wealth of knowledge to them after your first (1) visit to the track. I didn't walk down on the track after the race. I know it surprises alot of race fans that does......it is not dry. Maybe it is the speed from the 2L at 134 mph (clock by BRR) that causes the dust.
The track is not perfect, but I have seen improvements being made and expect I will continue to see more in the future!!
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July 17, 2007 at
09:15:43 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: Hawker on July 17 2007 at 09:02:59 PM
Savage - I have more than a bitch, I also have a wallet. I have seen a number of KR's on TV and in years past, it was pretty much standing room only. Not so this year. Tons of empty seats, people who buy tickets have a big say in things.
gasitup71 - I you have read all of my posts on this subject, you would know that I have already made plans for the 4 Crown. I only stated that I doubt that I would go to another KR. I can only imagine what kind of show that USAC would put on there.
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...I know I will be destroyed for saying this on this board, but watching Dave Darland drive a midget at Eldora is worth the vacation time and money itself...
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July 17, 2007 at
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Hawker, Also if it was not your first time there, you would know that more stands have been added. I would guess anther 3000 seats have been added. I was told it was one of the largest KR??
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July 17, 2007 at
09:26:59 PM
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This message was edited on
July 17, 2007 at
09:53:10 PM by Savage, Bad Monkey
Hawker, you should read Doug Auld's article in SC&M from about a year ago. "Buying a ticket entitles you to seeing a race. That's it." "When you go to Wal Mart, do you try to get them to throw it a toaster with your purchase?"
Yes, I have had bad experiences at certain races, but they do not out weigh the good ones. You of all people should realize that a lot more people have more invested than $35. I think they get more of a say than you or I. Keep your dough and let the rest of us enjoy what pleases us, even if we are 'brainwashed'.
Savage
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July 17, 2007 at
09:43:47 PM
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Chris, watching ANY midget race there is worth a vacation day or two. They still gotta get a track prep guy on the official payroll though, I am confident Tony is going to address this as well as a few other interesting announcements, down the road. Take It Easy....
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July 17, 2007 at
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Reply to:
Posted By: Hawker on July 17 2007 at 06:50:33 AM
Take a look around, I'm not the only one that didn't like the dust bowl. In RobZip's post above, he stated he's been going to Eldora for 42 years and he didn't like it. I'm sorry you've been brainwashed into thinking that dirt track racing is about going with a white shirt and leaving with a brown one. It took 2 showers to get all of the dirt out of my ears.....
Racefan227 - We spoke with Shaffer Saturday night in the camgrounds, he was injured by a rock and had to be treated. Also, I brought goggles because I knew its reputation, but sheesh, even with the goggles, it was blinding. The one thing I did forget was a respirator....
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Hawker - here is a clip on YouTube from an All Stars show that ran Eldora in April of 2006. A WoO race the night before somewhere in the area was rained out and a few of those boys showed up. This was Jac Haudenschild's first night out in the Wright 35 if I'm not mistaken. Dale Blaney and Saldana did a fine swap job with the lead for a long time. Jac started 15th, and was up to around 8th when the race was red flagged with less than 10 laps in. After the restart, Jac put on a clinic that was truly the stuff of masters. Watch the abrupt line changes and high to low swaps Blaney and Saldana do. Jac was dazzling to see - splitting between high and low running cars, changing lines in mid corner to pull it off. This is the sort of racing Eldora is known for. The track didn't need to be butchered - a bit of fresh CLAY and getting the banks right would have served well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a3On2gFLT0
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July 17, 2007 at
10:46:56 PM
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No Passing?
1) 15-Donny Schatz[1] [$50,000]
2) 14-Jason Meyers[7] [$12,500]
3) 24-Terry McCarl[11] [$7,000]
4) R19-Jason Solwold[2] [$5,000]
5) 9-Joey Saldana[9] [$4,000]
6) 20-Paul McMahan[17] [$3,500]
7) 7-Craig Dollansky[6] [$3,000]
8) 35-Jac Haudenschild[13] [$2,500]
9) 8K-Chad Kemenah[4] [$2,250]
10) 28-Brian Paulus[14] [$2,200]
11) 83-Danny Lasoski[20] [$1,950]
12) 2B-Dale Blaney[16] [$1,850]
13) 4-Danny Smith[10] [$1,700]
14) 11-Steve Kinser[19] [$1,600]
15) 21-Daryn Pittman[18] [$1,550]
16) W20-Greg Wilson[22] [$1,500]
17) 10C-Jeremy Campbell[12] [$1,450]
18) 7TW-Brandon Wimmer[5] [$1,450]
19) 5C-Chad Hillier[21] [$1,400]
20) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[8] [$1,350]
21) 7K-Dean Jacobs[15] [$1,300]
22) 2L-Ed Lynch Jr[24] [$1,275]
23) 11H-Kerry Madsen[3] [$1,250]
24) 29-Kenny Jacobs[23] [$1,250]
Lap Leaders: Craig Dollansky 1-5, Donny Schatz 6-40
KSE Hard Charger Award: Paul McMahan
Savage
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July 17, 2007 at
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Reply to:
Posted By: Savage, Bad Monkey on July 17 2007 at 10:46:56 PM
No Passing?
1) 15-Donny Schatz[1] [$50,000]
2) 14-Jason Meyers[7] [$12,500]
3) 24-Terry McCarl[11] [$7,000]
4) R19-Jason Solwold[2] [$5,000]
5) 9-Joey Saldana[9] [$4,000]
6) 20-Paul McMahan[17] [$3,500]
7) 7-Craig Dollansky[6] [$3,000]
8) 35-Jac Haudenschild[13] [$2,500]
9) 8K-Chad Kemenah[4] [$2,250]
10) 28-Brian Paulus[14] [$2,200]
11) 83-Danny Lasoski[20] [$1,950]
12) 2B-Dale Blaney[16] [$1,850]
13) 4-Danny Smith[10] [$1,700]
14) 11-Steve Kinser[19] [$1,600]
15) 21-Daryn Pittman[18] [$1,550]
16) W20-Greg Wilson[22] [$1,500]
17) 10C-Jeremy Campbell[12] [$1,450]
18) 7TW-Brandon Wimmer[5] [$1,450]
19) 5C-Chad Hillier[21] [$1,400]
20) 5W-Lucas Wolfe[8] [$1,350]
21) 7K-Dean Jacobs[15] [$1,300]
22) 2L-Ed Lynch Jr[24] [$1,275]
23) 11H-Kerry Madsen[3] [$1,250]
24) 29-Kenny Jacobs[23] [$1,250]
Lap Leaders: Craig Dollansky 1-5, Donny Schatz 6-40
KSE Hard Charger Award: Paul McMahan
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Who said anything about no passing.
Do you folks even read the whole thread? Or do you just jump on the "bash the poster bandwagon"?
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July 18, 2007 at
07:00:26 AM
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funny how the "circle the wagons" crowd shows up and bashes the folks who actually paid to see the damn race...this was the 11th KR for me...and the 2nd worst Eldora race I attended.
if I am not mistaken, Openwheel Times and good ole Nelligan have been bashing the track conditions longer than anyone.
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
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July 18, 2007 at
07:01:49 AM
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Wow......so much anger from a first time Eldora fan. I too was there, but as a driver. To me, the Big E is THE track to run at regardless of track conditions. I have raced there with a "heavy" track that was boring to me because of the freight train race it created. Start 4th finish 4th stuff. I have also raced on it when everyone save two guys blew at least one tire in the A-Main (KR a few years back). This years track was a bit dusty for sure, but what track isn't anymore. A slicked off track seems to be the norm now. I do feel for the fans some nights as I am sure that eating that much dust isn't alot of fun, but most sprint car races end up about the same with regard to the track. i will say that this years KR and the friday nite race combined I used ZERO tearoffs for the weekend. New personal best!!! LOL gotta save $$ where I can!!!  THis week we will head off to another dusty track...Hartford Speedway in MI. It is almost always worse in terms of airborne dirt that the KR was.
But the fans still come out week after week.
Hopefully, Hawker, you will choose to return to Eldora. If you do for a wing show, we have always said the best racing for winged cars at Eldora are the races no one sees. The end of the year All-Star show run in October was always a great race, but the fan turnout wasn't the best.
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