Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: hosehead

I'm from PA and let me be the first to admit that there has been a changing of the guard. It pains me to say it but after the first two nights at Knoxville, it's pretty obvious that the PA Posse's reign as the toughest locals in the country is over. I think that title now belongs to the Knoxville regulars. I'm not just talking about the former outlaws guys (Lasoski, Tatnell, Henderson, Hindi) but young guys like Zomer, Maeschen, Dobmeier, Alley, Schneiderman, etc. are all turning heads. Not sure if the Posse has slowed down that much or the rest of the country has got that much faster but what a difference a year or two can make.

Dude, don't you know, whenever locals run well against travelers, 'it's not the drivers it's the track.' This year’s example, tire rules: K-ville tire rule is familiar to the locals and differs from Posseland tire rules. Take away cockpit adjusters and away we go. WoO has even less compound options than Posseland. Bottom line, for one weekend a year you run a track you are not familiar with on a tire you rarely use, results = what you see.

Great to see locals run well against travelers, gives the all the visitors a little insight as to why Posse fans are so rabid - there is nothing like seeing locals compete at this level on the home track.

Not a local but was great to see Wright run so well last night - an upset from him would be cool to see.

PS- K-ville ends soon, all the K-ville locals can take their hard earned winnings from this week and roll into PA for the Natty O at the end of September.....

In your case buzz, IT IS the track because of what happens at virtually all other tracks they race the big dogs. Been this way for decades now, some day you'll get it. Accepting reality is tough for cheerleaders but even the Detroit Lions have 'em, same with the Posse version. Take It Easy....

PS There are very good drivers all over the country which has been my point since this silly debate started a decade and a half ago. Losing the big money backing is what has hurt the Posse more than anything, you've lost some GREAT car owners back there over the last few years....

You continue to assume you know what my experiences are - only a fool would make such assumptions. You state the debate started "a decade and half ago" - you term it a debate; opinions about Posse racers and where they stack up nationally have been long accepted. Since you like the debate, feel free to keep it going as long as you like. But know this long after you wither away from this discussion, the respect others have for Posse and vise versa will remain the same as it is today. Stand on the internet mountain and shout all you want.

Back to the issue at hand: All the money in the world will only get you the same stuff as everyone else - different rules is the point. The tire rule is the issue - same drivers, same motors, same chassis, etc. - limited tire choices has effected the racing; to the benefit of some and determent of others. One favorite has said as much, I think I’ll listen to him over you.

Just like in any sport home field advantage and you're only as good as your competition

Knoxville, Central PA and Northern Ohio all have great drivers. But who's to say who is "better"? That debate is (and always has been) subjective, and will never end. The only point that has become clearer is that the WoO constitute the best group of sprint car drivers in the world.

Being from Ohio, I am prejudiced. But I have met a number of drivers and fans from the Knoxville and PA areas, and I have nothing but respect for them. Root hard for your own, but please shy away from puting the others down.

I guess I'll join in on this pissing match. My opinion is that there are great drivers from all over. Posse land, Cali, Knoxville, Australia etc...I respect all of them, and cheer on drivers from all of these areas. At the Nationals I strongly feel the local boys do have a bit of an advantage as they see this place every week. Familiarity with the track is what got guys like Maeschen, Zomer, Henderson in the A main. These guys are very good here, just look at Maeschen, comes out last and times 3rd quick!!! Could he do that at a PA or Cali track that he's unfamiliar with. No disrespect, but I doubt it. We would see much the same, but in reverse if the Nationals were held at the Grove or Chico....The locals at those tracks would probably be dominating the travellers/outsiders. At the same time I'm glad so many of the PA boys decided to show up this year, as this is the only chance I get to watch them.

Buzz, I thought since the national hoosier tire rule went into affect last year that all tracks and sanctions were the same. Even so it doesn't explain why all the PA cars have been going backwards this year, and they aren't just getting passed by outlaws. They're getting beat by locals from all over the country. Our guys usually represent extremely well, at least on prelim nights.

I'm taking into account the home track advantage and the fact that we have a few guys getting their first ever laps at Knoxville this year. 6 locals in the A(7 counting Wayne Johnson) with 3 in the A scamble plus several more with a shot in the B is outstanding. I don't remember the locals ever doing that well before and I don't remember the Posse doing this poorly before. I'm still proud of our guys for going out and I'll be rooting for them to turn things around tonight but they sure got their work cut out for them.

MSPN, I agree we lost some great car owners like Hamilton and Stewart but we've had some great ones come into the sport too like Clemons and Owens. I don't think it's a money thing. Our guys are still in good enough equipment. It may be a case of owners from other parts stepping it up and matching ours. Nearly every 410 team has good stuff these days.

Knoxville has had some real good young shoes that have just been getting better and better the last couple years. Then throw in Lasoski, Tatnell and Henderson into the mix and I think they've at least matched the Posse and more likely surpassed them. My point in starting this thread was simply just to point this out and give them the props they deserve.

Scoop, don't forget NorCal and WA, some great ones there as well.

Hey, Scoop. My feelings are hurt!

You didn't mention Ca!!!!!!

TK and Allard aren't too bad!

Calling an illegal immigrant an "undocumented worker" 
is like calling a drug dealer an "unlicensed 
pharmacist!"