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

No problems, no excuses, just couldnt get in the show in the presence of the outlaws. I think the debate is over. 

Nah... I was very surprised Rico didn't even make it out of the Last Chance race either the WoO tonight.  I don't think it's anything to do with the quality of HL teams. In years past, there's no way Rico would be running with the scrubs in a WoO B-Main. Maybe the curse of TSR has rubbed off on him? Kinda like a sprint car version of the Curse of the Bambino?  I do root for Rico, but I 'ain't sad to see TSR struggle after how Tony treated Donny.

Hmm, rico the reigning HL champ misses the transfer. Thorson loads up after time trails a few weeks ago.

Who's the king of the hill?

How'd the WoO champ do tonight in comparison?

Well, " in comparison", the WOO champ got beat by 8 cars and  the HL champ got beat by 24 cars. " In comparison", that quite alot. 

Lot of passing, Buddy won from front but several cars passed 10+ cars. Watched the feature and didnt realize Rico was there. Nice when a few HL are also in the field. See how it goes tonight before making decision. For Gravel to be junked out and come back to ninth was a story in itself .I dont think they had to change front axel but probably a strong 2 minutes but glad Logan got back also. The WOO has a much better fan following at their established tracks. HL started out as week day races but now are a full time competing series but without FLO they would have same fate as USA series and they took the best drivers with them. Not sure Ted got rich but He established a brand that is hard to beat. I like ie when its possible to watch both features!

Well he wasn't in a heated battlle with Kameron Key in the hooligan race for one thing. 

The overreaction from either side of this debate reminds me of switching back and forth from Fox to CNN.  Rico and Tanner had bad showings the past 2 weeks.  Sometime in the summer, a couple of HL guys are going to smoke an Outlaw field and then it's gonna be just the opposite coming from the HL fanboys/Outlaw haters.  Remember TJ Stutts beat the Outlaws and there were some delusional fans from a certain region thinking somehow he, and his peers were just as tough as the top Outlaw guys.  It's a race or 2.  Can anyone think objectively anymore?  

I believe Gravel, Buddy, and Macedo are the top-3 cars running for points right now.  Not because of last night.  Not because of Tanner loading up and going home 2 weeks ago.  But because of what they've done as a whole over the past 12-24 months.  Rico's a badass and capable of winning on any given night.  Last night wasn't his night.  Doesn't mean he sucks because of last night.  It means the collection of nights like last night are the reason he doesn't rank as high in the sprint car ratings system. He could come out tonight and clean up.  But a missed show and a 1st don't point out as well as a 4th and a 3rd.  Gravel wasn't going to win last night, but take the wreck out of it, and he was likely dabbling around the podium.  Those guys don't miss it.  Buddy and the 83 don't miss it.  Macedo and the 41 don't miss it.  Rico and RW still occasionally miss it.  Rico is closer to the caliber of Sheldon (at least the pre-2026 Sheldon) than he is to any of those top-3 Outlaws.  That's not a knock, because Sheldon can also win on any given night.  He's either battling for the podium, or getting lapped in the late stages.  Just facts.  

I'm happy Rico stayed! An unfortunate night, but they happen. 

I wanna see the best duke it out on the track. I'm sure if Rico had a provisional he would've driven to the front.

Can't wait for tonight. 

I love both series, hate to see the high school squabbling over the past few seasons. We have 2 great series here. Watch & support them both if you love sprint car racing. 

Hope Carson Macedo can get the W tonight

I was going to weigh in on this debate.....however this post wraps my thoughts up on this probably better than I would have typed it. So thanks for saving me the time of trying to make a post that made sense!

Too many knee-jerk reactions rather than standing back and taking it all in over a period of time.  I stick by my pre-season thoughts that the Outlaws have a much tougher and deeper field this year.  But last night's showing from Rico is one race.  He'll be back, and he'll beat the Outlaws this year at some point.  And it won't instantly change my thoughts.  He's plenty capable of beating any field in the world on any given night.  

Night #2. Say it ain't so.........Rico. :(

Wow, surprised he missed again tonight.

"But last night's showing from Rico is one race.  He'll be back, and he'll beat the Outlaws"

That did not age well, did it?

It must be the Ford engine. ;)

If he only had a "Kingmaker" in charge of the car ohhhh the possibilities.

Another exciting race with a lot of passing and very entertaining. Rico didnt look like He just had speed , Kofoid and David  were winners but strong showing by some younger drivers The cushion was the fast way and transtioning from entering low took some time to get back totop rather than staying there. I love it when the best drivers get together and Chase could have said grandstands packed and not be criticized. Donny has been racing well just needs to make dash as He is strong  and drives like the veteran he is. Last two nights were the greatest show on dirt.There are several crewcheifs that are providing fast cars to their drivers.

Something was up this weekend with Rico.  That motor just didn't have speed.  From hot laps to qualifying, heats and semi, the car just wouldn't pull of the corners.  Don't know if they were at Pevely testing something, but very unusual.

Are you suggesting there are other crew chiefs in this land capable of putting a fast car on the track?  Stop it!  

That alone won't guarantee success. He'd also have to have an owner with some good financial backing.