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

We as racers are the only clowns that pay to be in the circus!

I'd be suprised to see more than 80 cars there this year, but I'll still try to be there. It's a big show.......so I'm sure they will do whatever it takes over time to keep it a good- big show.

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

How else would they be able to afford to pay $100 to win on the prelim nights?

Its a pretty expensive weekend of racing for anyone that fails to make the main event on the final night but an opportunity for the everyday weekend racer to pay homage to the big boys who run up front.

100$ to win. looks like they need to take about 5k off that winners check and put on the prelim night. that is truly and utterly pathetic. You could make it 50k to win and not many more cars are gonna come. Is this race that much designed solely for the heavy hitters? That purse structure makes no sense at all. I'm damn confused by it. ah hell, what do I care? if its a good race I'll like it.......if not....won't go back. it's not rocket science. but I did just contradict myself in my own post.

No wonder Sean McClelland was pissed after he won a prelim there last year.

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

Winning a prelim actually pays $2,100 because winning a prelim gets u in the big show on saturday night which pays $2,000 to start!

However, I have always viewed the STN as a total rip-off and a financial disaster for about 80 cars. Due to passinf point format I have seen good cars win heats and qualifiers and still not make the prelim, much less the feature. The track is a tire eating machine that weekend. So, u can race yer butt off, win your races and still load up and go home.

On the other hand, should u get lucky and pass a bunch of cars you can not even win a single race and still make the big show and collect $2,000.

I shouldn't be surprised at the negativity in this thread, I guess, but that's expected on this "bitch and moan" board...and typically from people who have never laid eyes on this event...

Just like the Nationals, the cream always rises on Saturday, and I wouldn't miss it for the world. The track conditions on the tight 1/4 mile are different every night, and that puts some strategy and interest in it as well. Daytime shows (like last year) would ruin anyone's tires, but I've seen 30 lap mud-slinging features that hardly put any wear on tires as well.

And it's my last shot to wear shorts...where else you gonna go racing that weekend?

If this post isn't results, stories or something c
constructive, it isn't me! 
@BillWMedia
www.OpenWheel101.com

People go for the parties, the race format cheats many teams!

I'm with BillW, as a fan it's one of the great events, cream rises to the top..... I can't think of a better format to show that.

If any drivers / owners (which I'm not seeing here) want to complain they should simply contact I-30 and bypass the event.

Since the rest don't have a "dog in the hunt" what difference does it make?

I guarantee if you win your heat and qualifier in the prelim, no matter where you started, you'll be starting up front for the feature.

The Sprint Bandit format is a unique one that has worked better in some venues than others, but I like it at this event...

If this post isn't results, stories or something c
constructive, it isn't me! 
@BillWMedia
www.OpenWheel101.com

Anybody know a decent way to listen to these races.....??

W - maybe you know of a way....;)

.

Bill W I'm sure the racing is great for the fans but if your car dosen't make the final nite main it is awfully expensive. Its a super event for the heavy hitters like Gary W, Johnsons etc but travel expenses, tires, fuel, enrty fee, pit passes etcetera is a ton out of the little guys pockets. I've seen some pretty good race teams do poorly there due to the field of cars and a sometimes very difficult track to pass on.

You can spend all day talking about the cost of racing and how it doesn't add up no matter what division you look at. But picking on this race is barking up the wrong tree.

Every weekly race we attend we plan on spending $1000 to unload the car by the time you take all of our expenses - for the year - and divide it by the number of nights we race. And we're probably not going to average making a $1000/night either.

That's how we figure the budget on our sprint car and it's hit about exactly the same each year. 20 nights for about $20,000. Until 2 weeks ago we were doing really good on our budget - until a concrete wall pulled out in front of the driver...now $4500 later, we're back 'on budget' for the year...

BTW, advance 3-day grandstand tickets for this race are $45.

Anyone care to offer a list of sprint events in the country that you can see a 3-day race with the top sprint car drivers around paying $20k/win - and possibly $45k/win - for $45?

;)

Yep, there is plenty wrong with this event. That is why they are going to be doing it for 20 YEARS!!!

Drivers aren't liking the format or the purse so they are not showing up. That is why the car counts have grown each passing year.

OMG JUST 80 CARS????? What a crying shame. Dayum the audacity of such a car count.

The race just keeps getting bigger and better each year, the drivers keep showing up and there is always an overflow crowd each year - with or without you.

David Smith Jr.
www.oklahomatidbits.com

I'll admit that they could pump a little more money in for the top three spots in the pre-lims but those cars also get to race in a dash for some extra cash on Sat. night as well as getting $2K to start. This race has become my favorite winged race of the year and I recommend it to any sprint car fan be it a winger or a hardcore traditionalist. I'm just wondering who all will show up this year? Last year it drew newbies like TK, Brad Sweet, Jason Meyers and Dale Blaney. I have a hunch that Shane Stewart will be there in the Doyles car since Paul Silva came out with Roger Crockett a few years ago.

If Shane is not there in the Doyles car, That is a long ways from Oregon, I bet he will be there in the 14x teammate car to Gary Lee Maier

race

lol. ok david you got a point. but it is a point i have already recognized. even if it was 40 cars I would want to go......especially with sprint bandit format, which I really like. My only remaining point is there should be more money on the bottom end of it. but then again........not sure I-30 could handle 150 race teams. Or could they? WHen we attended last year I don't know how they handle 100. Where do they park em all?

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

High entry fees? The entry fee has not changed for several years.

Preliminary night pays only $100? CarWashMike knows that is not the truth - I have been telling him for years but he refuses to accept the truth.

Only 80 cars? How many sprint shows would love to have 80 cars? The Short Track Nationals is the biggest 360 Sprinter Show in the World - "only" 80 cars speaks volumes to the quality of sprint car racing that will take place at I-30 Speedway.

Where is the gripe and whine about the grandstand ticket prices? BECAUSE YOU CAN ATTEND ALL THREE NIGHTS FOR A MERE $45.00. Where else can you watch 90 - 110 sprinters race each other for 3 straight nights for $15 per night?

Some of you folks have been poking this event for years. All to no avail - it keeps getting bigger and better. I suggest you try it sometime.

Peace,

Brad

Glad_Brad,

Everyone claims how good the price is to get in for the fans but again I state why should the car owners have to pay the high entry fees and race for nothing on the pre-lims. Why not let the fans pay the difference by rasing the gate prices $5 per night, $20 to get in is still a bargin when you compare to the Woo. I know quite a few 360 teams in our region that would come down to the race but have decided it is not worth the expenses for such little return. Yes, the entry fee is always been the same but you know what this event could even draw more racers if I-30 implemented some changes.

I am sure as long as the stands are packed and 80 cars show up nothing will change.