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Topic: Story on low car counts hurting 358 Sprint division, other notes from PA
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Page 1 of 1 of 16 replies
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June 20, 2013 at
12:40:09 PM
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05/07/2013
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1991
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Low car counts hurting the 358 Sprint Car division
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June 20, 2013 at
01:45:41 PM
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07/18/2009
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As a fan who travels long distances to see the races, I don't see a problem with the low car counts in the support divisions...
Less hot lap sessions, less heat races and no b-main means that I get on the road home sooner...
However, I do appreciate the fans who stay to watch them. Mainly due to the fact that I don't have to deal with them in traffic as I exit the facility...
Opinions may vary...
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June 20, 2013 at
01:47:52 PM
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06/08/2012
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Decent write-up. Tires are certainly an issue for weekly expenses... but I still think the focus needs to be on the engine package. If people didn't have to take out a second mortgage for the engine, tires wouldn't be as big of an impact.
The Winged Outlaw Warriors in Missouri are a perfect example... they started out as a budget sprint car class that people jumped at. As time went on, you ended up with $30-40k motors... and of course as well all know they are an ASCS division now. Same thing with 305... people spending $15-20k on a 305?!?!?. How does this keep happening? We clearly aren't learning from past mistakes.
I don't currently race sprints because I can't afford to be competitive. I've thought about racing a modified just to help with the "racing bug"... but I know that it wouldn't make me happy. It's ridiculous how many people (and very talented drivers) have to sit on the sidelines of racing these days, when they have so much passion and dedication to the sport. Passion and dedication are no substitute for a car that costs 50k+.
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June 20, 2013 at
09:31:54 PM
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1991
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The 358 Sprint Car division was originally intended to not only give drivers a cheaper avenue to get in the Sprint Car game, it was supposed to be a feeder division. In its present state, the division is failing on both counts.
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June 20, 2013 at
09:41:39 PM
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What's the threshold when they go to a "feature only" format...?
Opinions may vary...
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June 20, 2013 at
09:50:29 PM
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1991
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Stan,
I don't think that will happen. I feel tracks will pull them before it gets to that point.
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June 20, 2013 at
11:28:52 PM
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08/09/2008
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500
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Guess I was lucky when I saw them at Lincoln a few weeks ago... a little over 30 cars as I recall. The small wings are awesome... cars really are more sideways which looks awesome. It's a shame that rules get so out of hand on support classes. 358 motors appear to be similar priced to ASCS motors (way too high) to run for the purses & winner's share they get. Tires that last a few races (rock hard), injector sleeves, gear rule... something undoubtedly would help these guys (& gals) in the 358s. Paying more purse money doesn't do it IMHO. Drop their costs. If you're close to 410 money... PASS. Buy used 410 motors & learn how to set up a car. Way better.
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June 21, 2013 at
08:32:03 AM
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03/24/2013
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Reply to:
Posted By: Stan Donnit on June 20 2013 at 01:45:41 PM
As a fan who travels long distances to see the races, I don't see a problem with the low car counts in the support divisions...
Less hot lap sessions, less heat races and no b-main means that I get on the road home sooner...
However, I do appreciate the fans who stay to watch them. Mainly due to the fact that I don't have to deal with them in traffic as I exit the facility...
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I respect your opinion and your post Stan, and this isn't to bash you or anybody esle - just have always wondered why folks make the effort and pay the $$ to go to the races only to see how quickly they can get out of the joint to go back home? For those that golf (I try!), ever had the "speed golfers" come up behind you? Guys that play like all they want to do is finsih and go back home. Point is that I hate when a track dicks around and wastes time like anybody else, but I do enjoy every race and class that runs that night.
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June 21, 2013 at
09:07:12 AM
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Over the years when there were 360's and 410's running on the same card the 'support' group as silly Stanley refers to them often put on a better show. Those that remember the Kings Royal going back a decade or so is a good example, heck I think that's why they stopped running them together, they almost always put on a better show. Tim Allison running the wall was a show all to himself, the farther back he started the better the race. The same thing happens at Knoxville also, those that went to both will tell you there have been many years when the 360 Nationals were better than the 410 show. Only in PA would fans consider them filler, lol.....
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June 21, 2013 at
09:13:53 AM
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Reply to:
Posted By: MSPN on June 21 2013 at 09:07:12 AM
Over the years when there were 360's and 410's running on the same card the 'support' group as silly Stanley refers to them often put on a better show. Those that remember the Kings Royal going back a decade or so is a good example, heck I think that's why they stopped running them together, they almost always put on a better show. Tim Allison running the wall was a show all to himself, the farther back he started the better the race. The same thing happens at Knoxville also, those that went to both will tell you there have been many years when the 360 Nationals were better than the 410 show. Only in PA would fans consider them filler, lol.....
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yes...we do have standards...remember your last visit to the VIP section? thanks for the memories!
Lincoln 1845 ft/.35 mile T1=118MPH
Eldora 2287 ft/.43mile T3=135MPH
Port 2716 ft/.51 mile T3=TBD
Grove 2792 ft/.53 mile T3=135MPH
Selinsgrove 2847 ft/.54 mile T1=136MPH
"I didn't move to PA from El Paso in search of better
weather." Van May
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June 21, 2013 at
01:07:59 PM
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The support divisions may very well put on the best racing of the night but, I won't be there to bear witness to it...
Opinions may vary...
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June 21, 2013 at
02:29:20 PM
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This message was edited on
June 21, 2013 at
02:30:01 PM by racrguy
Reply to:
Posted By: jeremyjay46 on June 20 2013 at 01:47:52 PM
Decent write-up. Tires are certainly an issue for weekly expenses... but I still think the focus needs to be on the engine package. If people didn't have to take out a second mortgage for the engine, tires wouldn't be as big of an impact.
The Winged Outlaw Warriors in Missouri are a perfect example... they started out as a budget sprint car class that people jumped at. As time went on, you ended up with $30-40k motors... and of course as well all know they are an ASCS division now. Same thing with 305... people spending $15-20k on a 305?!?!?. How does this keep happening? We clearly aren't learning from past mistakes.
I don't currently race sprints because I can't afford to be competitive. I've thought about racing a modified just to help with the "racing bug"... but I know that it wouldn't make me happy. It's ridiculous how many people (and very talented drivers) have to sit on the sidelines of racing these days, when they have so much passion and dedication to the sport. Passion and dedication are no substitute for a car that costs 50k+.
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Only fools are spending 15-20k on a 305, IMO. Just because people are selling them for that much, doesn't mean people are buying them for that much.
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June 22, 2013 at
10:07:05 AM
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1991
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There was only one night this season when Lincoln Speedway had 30 358 Sprint Cars checked into the pit area. They are averaging 25 this season.
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June 22, 2013 at
10:12:45 AM
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There were 24 358's @ the Cow Palace last night and only 21 410's...
Bent Parts got things straightened out and won via a last corner pass of Stevie Smith in a non stop 410 feature...
I was on the hard road home by 9:10 PM EDT and made it home just prior to 11:00 PM...
I did not stay for the support divisions feature, but then again, I never do...
Opinions may vary...
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June 22, 2013 at
12:02:14 PM
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27 at limaland last nite.
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June 22, 2013 at
02:07:41 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: jeremyjay46 on June 20 2013 at 01:47:52 PM
Decent write-up. Tires are certainly an issue for weekly expenses... but I still think the focus needs to be on the engine package. If people didn't have to take out a second mortgage for the engine, tires wouldn't be as big of an impact.
The Winged Outlaw Warriors in Missouri are a perfect example... they started out as a budget sprint car class that people jumped at. As time went on, you ended up with $30-40k motors... and of course as well all know they are an ASCS division now. Same thing with 305... people spending $15-20k on a 305?!?!?. How does this keep happening? We clearly aren't learning from past mistakes.
I don't currently race sprints because I can't afford to be competitive. I've thought about racing a modified just to help with the "racing bug"... but I know that it wouldn't make me happy. It's ridiculous how many people (and very talented drivers) have to sit on the sidelines of racing these days, when they have so much passion and dedication to the sport. Passion and dedication are no substitute for a car that costs 50k+.
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Well when some sanction/series/tracks get the brass to put a claim rule on these engines that is the only way you'll discourage people from dumping unlimited funds into the limited engines. Someone isn't going to dump $15-$20k in a 305 if there is a $8k claim.
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June 22, 2013 at
10:17:10 PM
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Thirty 358's and twenty nine 410's @ The Fabulous Lincoln Speedway tonight...
Opinions may vary...
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