|
|
|
|
|
Topic: Sprint car driver Tony Jones to USAC: Show me the Money
|
Email this topic to a friend |
Subscribe to this Topic
| Report this Topic to Moderator
|
|
Page 1 of 5 of 85 replies
|
|
|
|
|
February 28, 2008 at
02:45:19 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
11/22/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
3222
|
|
|
|
Sprint car driver Tony Jones to USAC: Show me the Money
12:32 AM PST on Thursday, February 28, 2008
By MATT CALKINS
The Press-Enterprise
Norco resident Tony Jones was expecting something from the United States Auto Club and didn't get it.
So now the sprint car driver is essentially telling USAC: Don't expect too much out of me.
Jones said that last year the former USAC president told him that the champion of the USAC/CRA series would receive $10,000 in bonus money, while other drivers would be given a proportional amount based on how they finished in the points.
The money, as Jones understood it, was to be taken out of a $60,000 point fund, which is generally contributed to by the various tracks that host USAC/CRA sprint car events.
Kevin Miller has since taken over as CEO and president of USAC. And when Jones, who ended up winning the championship, told Miller of the $10,000 he was owed, Miller wondered how Jones ever thought USAC had that kind of money to give away.
Considering that USAC was losing money on the CRA series, which runs on West Coast tracks including Perris Auto Speedway, Miller said he couldn't give him any more than $4,800, and said the point fund was more like $40,000.
No matter who or what the source of confusion was, the news irked Jones. And while the sprint car season has been under way for a couple of weeks now, he said he doesn't plan on running a full schedule and will skip some out-of-state races.
"The whole West Coast series got shorted," Jones said, pointing out that the point fund has been declining every year. "I mean, if you have a job and your boss tells you that you're going to make $100,000 and at the end of the year you only make $70,000, you're going to be upset."
Miller said he feels for the drivers and added that the CRA is extremely important to USAC, which also has a host of national and regional series. And he maintains that he never tried to deceive or shortchange anybody, but that the money just wasn't there.
"There is a certain expectation for the point fund, but unfortunately the expectation is different than reality," Miller said, adding that he was unaware of any past agreements Jones had made.
"I would love to say, 'Here, for me to make you feel better, here's $20,000.' But that money doesn't exist. We're trying to do whatever we can to put more fans in the seats."
Some CRA drivers, such as Rickie Gaunt, have said the CRA doesn't need USAC and can have its own series at Perris. Miller argues that the CRA would have a hard time surviving without USAC, adding that the West Coast series provides an opportunity for a lot of young drivers to develop their talent.
Perris had its opening weekend for the sprint car season nearly three weeks ago. Jones was there, as was Temecula resident Mike Spencer, who finished second to Jones last year.
Spencer said he's upset with the money situation, as are a lot of drivers. Nevertheless, he plans on running the whole season.
"The team I'm running for wants to run all the races. That's kind of been the plan from the beginning," Spencer said. "So that's what we're going to do."
Free Admission to Perris
Anyone with a ticket stub from last weekend's NASCAR events at Auto Club Speedway will be admitted free at Perris Auto Speedway this weekend. Scheduled to race are Late Models, Street Stocks, Factory Stocks, and Modifieds.
|
|
|
|
|
February 28, 2008 at
05:41:31 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
03/30/2007
|
|
Posts:
|
57
|
|
|
Reply to:
Posted By: ljennings on February 28 2008 at 02:45:19 PM
Sprint car driver Tony Jones to USAC: Show me the Money
12:32 AM PST on Thursday, February 28, 2008
By MATT CALKINS
The Press-Enterprise
Norco resident Tony Jones was expecting something from the United States Auto Club and didn't get it.
So now the sprint car driver is essentially telling USAC: Don't expect too much out of me.
Jones said that last year the former USAC president told him that the champion of the USAC/CRA series would receive $10,000 in bonus money, while other drivers would be given a proportional amount based on how they finished in the points.
The money, as Jones understood it, was to be taken out of a $60,000 point fund, which is generally contributed to by the various tracks that host USAC/CRA sprint car events.
Kevin Miller has since taken over as CEO and president of USAC. And when Jones, who ended up winning the championship, told Miller of the $10,000 he was owed, Miller wondered how Jones ever thought USAC had that kind of money to give away.
Considering that USAC was losing money on the CRA series, which runs on West Coast tracks including Perris Auto Speedway, Miller said he couldn't give him any more than $4,800, and said the point fund was more like $40,000.
No matter who or what the source of confusion was, the news irked Jones. And while the sprint car season has been under way for a couple of weeks now, he said he doesn't plan on running a full schedule and will skip some out-of-state races.
"The whole West Coast series got shorted," Jones said, pointing out that the point fund has been declining every year. "I mean, if you have a job and your boss tells you that you're going to make $100,000 and at the end of the year you only make $70,000, you're going to be upset."
Miller said he feels for the drivers and added that the CRA is extremely important to USAC, which also has a host of national and regional series. And he maintains that he never tried to deceive or shortchange anybody, but that the money just wasn't there.
"There is a certain expectation for the point fund, but unfortunately the expectation is different than reality," Miller said, adding that he was unaware of any past agreements Jones had made.
"I would love to say, 'Here, for me to make you feel better, here's $20,000.' But that money doesn't exist. We're trying to do whatever we can to put more fans in the seats."
Some CRA drivers, such as Rickie Gaunt, have said the CRA doesn't need USAC and can have its own series at Perris. Miller argues that the CRA would have a hard time surviving without USAC, adding that the West Coast series provides an opportunity for a lot of young drivers to develop their talent.
Perris had its opening weekend for the sprint car season nearly three weeks ago. Jones was there, as was Temecula resident Mike Spencer, who finished second to Jones last year.
Spencer said he's upset with the money situation, as are a lot of drivers. Nevertheless, he plans on running the whole season.
"The team I'm running for wants to run all the races. That's kind of been the plan from the beginning," Spencer said. "So that's what we're going to do."
Free Admission to Perris
Anyone with a ticket stub from last weekend's NASCAR events at Auto Club Speedway will be admitted free at Perris Auto Speedway this weekend. Scheduled to race are Late Models, Street Stocks, Factory Stocks, and Modifieds.
|
This is not an opinion to put on a board like this. I'm sure info in this article is not accurate and I hope people don't believe what this person is saying. This can kill short track racing and I hope Mr. Jennings will remove from this board.
|
|
|
|
|
February 28, 2008 at
06:27:53 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
07/30/2006
|
|
Posts:
|
167
|
|
|
|
The use of quotations implies that it is a quote. What part do you think is not accurate? Or is it you just don't like it or want to hear it? It is information about west coast sprints so what is the problem with it on the site sttmn?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 28, 2008 at
07:09:27 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
12/04/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
10
|
|
|
What really sucks is when a series is not providing what it offers to in the first place. The article states points that are facts according to what the car owners and drivers know about last year. The championship team was shortchanged big time, not only in end of year awards, but contingency prizes throughout. Why do teams have to run the stickers on the cars if nothing is given in return? Why did teams have to buy radios when on many occasions, they weren't used. Why did teams put money into entry fees if the prize money at the end of the year wasn't as advertised. I know that it wasn't just the 4 team that is upset about the prize money... one only has to look at the responses from other teams when given their end of the year prize money to see what they think as well. Remember, though some of the big teams in CRA are well funded, and can continue to make most if not all of the races without too many worries, several others can not. There are some car owners who struggle with more than one job just to keep tires on their cars weekly. If a team runs all year, at tracks that eat up tires and engines in nothing flat, put everything they have and more into it, and are rewarded with less than half of the championship prize money, which can't even cover the debts of the previous year, how are they supposed to turn around a month an a half later, and hit the whole circuit again? It is sad to see teams having to stay home, but when it comes down to racing or eating, sometimes the fun has to stop..
|
|
|
|
|
February 28, 2008 at
07:56:38 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
12/04/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
495
|
|
|
|
would somebody please listen to Mr. Gaunt !
ROB
|
|
|
|
February 28, 2008 at
08:35:05 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
04/10/2007
|
|
Posts:
|
266
|
|
|
Reply to:
Posted By: sttmn on February 28 2008 at 05:41:31 PM
This is not an opinion to put on a board like this. I'm sure info in this article is not accurate and I hope people don't believe what this person is saying. This can kill short track racing and I hope Mr. Jennings will remove from this board.
|
sttmn,Wrong...you can't fix whats wrong in racing till you recognize and acknowledge it.This forum is the perfect place to begin a dialog to get other racers,car owners and even USAC officials opinions.Some people don't wish to deal with some of the dirty little secrets in racing,If your one of them I can understand why it's easier to enjoy racing if you don't know about these issuses,others have to deal with things like these,or they will be forced out of racing[something they love doing]. Perhaps Mr. Jennings should set up an additional forum for all those who wish to ,shoot the breeze,bullshit with their buddies or treat this board like a chat room,But to me this is the perfect forum to have the drivers voice their complaints...so we can work out a solution and keep Sprint Car racing viable in So. Cal..Sorry if I appear to be ranting,but I don't wish to see some of the BEST go away............
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 28, 2008 at
10:25:01 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
12/03/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
93
|
|
|
|
All this makes one wish for the days of the SCRA, don't it?
|
|
|
|
|
February 28, 2008 at
10:30:31 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
12/04/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
495
|
|
|
This message was edited on
February 28, 2008 at
11:13:25 PM by turn4rob
Reply to:
Posted By: SVMike on February 28 2008 at 10:25:01 PM
All this makes one wish for the days of the SCRA, don't it?
|
nope that horse is dead
ROB
|
|
|
|
February 28, 2008 at
10:33:35 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
12/01/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
133
|
|
|
Reply to:
Posted By: SVMike on February 28 2008 at 10:25:01 PM
All this makes one wish for the days of the SCRA, don't it?
|
AMEN!!!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 28, 2008 at
11:21:21 PM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
11/07/2006
|
|
Posts:
|
78
|
|
|
|
Considering that USAC was losing money on the CRA series
Now that statement is funny as hell !!!! In my own opinion how are they loosing money with the CRA series ?? There are entry fees every night for every car ,transponder fees pill pick fees and they probably charge a USAC officials wipe my ass fee for some of the s****y calls they make .Stop paying all your top dogs top dollar and you might have some money left over to pay the racers .
Joe
|
|
|
|
|
February 29, 2008 at
12:07:25 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
01/29/2007
|
|
Posts:
|
593
|
|
|
|
One thing is for certain - The Press Enterprise readership is much larger than the SCRAFAN Message Board. I applaud Mr. Jennings (and the newpaper reporter) for allowing the non-residents of Riverside County and the members of this website the opportunity to read the above article. Something is wrong with our affiliation with USAC out here on the left coast. I also sympathize with the CRA's drivers, crews and owners. I know of one car owner who made several calls concerning the point fund to Mr. Miller - who consistently was out of the office or in meetings for weeks. As of last week the USAC president still had not returned his call. Shame on USAC and shame on the its new president and CEO.
|
|
|
|
|
February 29, 2008 at
12:51:55 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
12/02/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
250
|
|
|
Reply to:
Posted By: turn4rob on February 28 2008 at 10:30:31 PM
nope that horse is dead
ROB
|
The reason that horse is dead is because the majority of the current owners and drivers dumped em and went with usac. The grass aint always greener. Its their own fault that their in this mess. The west coast has always been usac's stepchild. It was that way long before they took over the sprint car deal out here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 29, 2008 at
12:52:39 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
12/08/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
21
|
|
|
|
I seem to remember that USAC said they would be able to run the shows at the 3 tracks for less money from the promoters and still pay more to the car owners because of national sponsorships,etc. The promoters were trying to get a handle on their costs and increase their profits. For that, I have no problem. As everyone is aware, the costs have increased, not only for the fuel, tires, engines and everything else that is involved in just getting a car to the track, but also the pit passes, entry fees, and on and on. Without any first hand knowledge, I would make an educated guess and say that a substantial amount of the racers dollars are going to USAC headquarters. Some of this may cover insurance premiums for each race, but I have also heard of some large paychecks to some top officials. If they have a "floating"championship fund, then they need to be upfront with the racers.
What are the options for the West Coast teams? They can continue to run USAC/CRA and try to make some "adjustments" to the costs and payouts and perhaps convince USAC/CRA that for the most part, the racers are not touring professional teams that have unlimited funds
Another option is for the track/tracks to form their own association. That appears to be a successful move by Naylor in Ventura. Getting the tracks to work together, getting good insurance for the racers, getting a decent purse for the racers and getting some people to run the thing are BIG problems to overcome. The bottom line is that if the tracks are not making a profit, they won't be around long. So support your local tracks and racers. USAC, don't bite the hand that feeds you!
|
|
|
|
|
February 29, 2008 at
02:56:38 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
01/27/2005
|
|
Posts:
|
375
|
|
|
|
Unless you were there when Tony had the specific conversation it is hard to dispute "his" facts empty promises are made by many all of the time!
The most important fact here is that the Reining CRA Champion Team cannot afford to do the whole season which I find to be completely ludicrous! USAC should be doing everything in their power to find their championship team sponsorship to showcase their champion if the Alexander Team cannot find it locally! To me, that is insanity! I dont know what is going on behind the scenes and what all of the point fund stuff is all about and I sort of agree that it should not be aired in a public manner but since this has come out now I am sure that tact has been tried first and I applaud Tony for explaining to his fans Why they are not running the full schedule! I am sure that if they had received what they felt they were promised they would have done everything they could have go make every show.
I wish the whole Alexander Team the best as they are all a great bunch of people! See you all soon!
Joe
|
|
|
|
|
February 29, 2008 at
08:22:06 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
12/05/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
40
|
|
|
Reply to:
Posted By: turn4rob on February 28 2008 at 07:56:38 PM
would somebody please listen to Mr. Gaunt !
ROB
|
O'reilly ASCS ? seems to be working in Arizona
Grady
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 29, 2008 at
09:21:12 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
10/30/2005
|
|
Posts:
|
934
|
|
|
|
sttmn: You are an idiot or someone at the USAC office or BOTH. ALL of the drivers/owners should park their cars until this is resolved. Did they short the champions in any of their other divisions? If they did and THEY are all OK with it then I guess everyone gets what they deserve. If you guys are the only ones getting screwed lock up the haulers, buy some beer, snacks, etc., and throw a big party this weekend. I bet USAC will find the money somewhere......
|
|
|
|
|
February 29, 2008 at
10:24:52 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
02/06/2005
|
|
Posts:
|
50
|
|
|
Does Miller realize that sprint car racing was in California LONG before he was? And successful?
|
|
|
|
|
February 29, 2008 at
10:36:22 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
11/07/2006
|
|
Posts:
|
78
|
|
|
|
Does Miller realize that sprint car racing was in California LONG before he was? And successful?
Amen to that Alex !!!!!
Joe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
February 29, 2008 at
10:39:04 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
12/01/2004
|
|
Posts:
|
133
|
|
|
|
"Unless you were there when Tony had the specific conversation it is hard to dispute "his" facts empty promises are made by many all of the time!"
You are absolutely correct! None of us were privy to that conversation. However, from what I have read, they are not the only team that has been lied to by USUC. Apparently many other teams have gotten short changed also. AND, this is not the first time USUC has done or paid differently than they promised they would to the CRA guys. There seams to have been something each year since they, and a few track promoters, got together and s**t on Ron Shuman. I am really surprised that the teams have hung with them this long.
|
|
|
|
|
February 29, 2008 at
11:05:25 AM
|
|
|
Joined:
|
07/30/2006
|
|
Posts:
|
167
|
|
|
|
Kevin Miller looks like he shot himself in both feet. Way to start the year USAC. Whole new meaning to "Lets get ready to rumble," or is it tumble?
|
|
|
