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

The only compass I can use to relate to the Ford engine development in Sprint Cars is my railroad office career prior to my retirement.  They would spent large amounts of money developing new systems and when those systems did not perform as expected there was a limit to how long they would go before their attention turned to personnel.  The amount of heads that rolled was proplrtionate to the amount of money invested in the new system.  

If Ford is committed to seeing this through I won't make any predictions but will ask that question.  How long before Ford demands winning results and what effect would that have on the #15 team?  Keeping in mind that a major company like Ford isn't likely to be as patient as the car owner.  I can't answer my own question and I have been watching Donny Schatz since the first time he showed up at Cedar Lake with a WISSOTA 360.  

I don't know if this should be a concern but it seems like it's a potential do or die situation as far as the ride goes.  Do or die is a bit overly dramatic because my understanding is that Donny owns one or more of the truck washes so he is rare among Outlaw drivers who are not known for setting themselves up for life after the Outlaw tour.  I could see him running a Late Model around the upper Midwest and hitting the big shows.  $10,000 to win Late Model races are not unusual up here.  I believe the Seitz Memorial is being held at River Cities this weekend and that one pays $9,200 the last time I paid attention in honor of the late John Seitz' #92.

This is an interesting situation to follow but Donny might get on a hot streak and throw egg in our faces so it's a bit early to do much speculating.

Stan Meissner

All excellent points.  

And, if Ford WERE to actually "demand" winning results?  They put their motor in a sprint car run by the best team on the planet.  They put their motor in a car run by the cleanest, smoothest driver on the planet.  Maybe he has lost a step or two, but if Ford tried to blame TSR, I would laugh in their faces.  

I still believe Donny will end up someday retiring to a life of running regional late models.  He enjoys it.  It's relatively safe in comparison to sprint cars.  And, he can get his racing fix while relaxing.  Whether that's 2021 or 2031----who knows?

I live a half hour north of the Twin Cities where Late Models and Modifieds are the most popluar classes.  There are several Late Model series around this area and a lot of high paying races not too far from Fargo.  If Donny was to concentrate exclusively on the fendered cars and had good equipment he would be competitive with the local and traveling racers.  I'm not trying to suggest he gets out of Sprint Cars but I've been around long enough to have seen favorite drivers retire every decade since the 1960's.

Cedar Lake has the USA Nationals for $50k, other tracks like Deer Creek have big races and there are a couple regional tours with the limited motor cars of WISSOTA and the like that have good paying events as well.  His popularity as a Sprint Car champion and the novelty of being at the top of the Sprint Car world then switching to another discipline would gaurantee merch sales.  If I was to prognosticate on what direction he goes in the future that would be the most logical.  Regardless of what happens with the Ford motor Schatz is in a better position than most Outlaw drivers whatever his future plans are.  While I think that might eventually be his path I'm not going to rule out them going on a win streak.  After all, we're talking about a proven driver who knows how to get it done.  

Stan Meissner

The only thing that's certain is that it's darn strange to be discussing the 15 car's lack of mojo.

For sure

I live about 5 hours straight south of you on the Wisconsin/Illinois border.  And it is very similar here-----all late model/modified country

You're more southeast.  A little over five hours straight south would put me pretty close to Sprint Car heaven. 

I am a half hour north of St. Paul about two miles from I 35 just outside of the town of Forest Lake.

Stan Meissner

Gotcha.  I thought you were more to the East of the Twin Cities.  This would still be not directly South, but closer to straight south to me. 

Reliability seems to have been an issue with them this year. Actually in some respects he is lucky to be in the position he is in. A couple nights he blew engines during the heat races or hot laps. Had they happened during the feature he might actually not be as high up in the standings as he is. Schuchart seems to be having the same issues as of late with engines but again, fortunate to happen in preliminary action.

Father time does catch to all of them. I think he will continue to be a contender each year and anyone would be a fool to think he does not have a shot of winning any race. However where he goes out and dominates a season with 20+ wins and 70 top5s might be gone forever.

Maybe when he steps back from full time touring, he will run Knoxville and use all year for a Nationals tune up.  To take the $$ home during August.  Question is....if he just ran at Knoxville and won would the Posse claim him as theirs? sarcasm

Tony Stewart must have read this post and figured it was time to shut up all of us arm chair crew chiefs.  He just won Dash #1 at Port Royal.  I did not detect a lack of horsepower.  He is fast tonight.

Stan Meissner

Yea Stan I was thinking the same thing. He sure didn't seem to be lacking in the HP department on opening night of the Tuscarora 50.  

I like how Tony described passing Lucas Wolfe in the heat race.   Tony said something like "that Ford just powered by him".

I am sure Donny enjoys all the plans we have for him (not).  We got him running late model stock cars at local tracks, running Knoxville, running his 2 car wash.  Maybe he could sell hot dogs at the Viking games.  Alot of WOO drivers would like to have Donnys problems.

Looks like he was unable to maintain a good opportunity on a hammer down track finishing 3 after starting up front in 

the feature

You can tell the domination is gone------------I watched Donny nearly every lap as well and found myself pulling for him.  And everyone around us seemed to be as well.  

I really don't understand the focus on Schatz and his driving skills. The ford obviously can't compete with the clone chevy.  he consistently puts the car in the right spots and gets blown away. Tony 's results are even worse other than his third place finish after starting on the pole at Port Royal.