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

Only four of the top 15 in quals transfered in the heat races. Lots of WWO drivers in the B & C main. Maybe they invert a little too many as there are some slow cars in the main.

IMHO, there is no such thing as inverting too many. Check heat 5. Kinser got knocked onto his side in the initial start, had to change the wing, restarted 8th. He was 6th after 1 lap, 4th by lap 7. He transferred.

Should start inverting 8 next year. That dirt is not as good for passing as it was 10 years ago.

Inverting ten is just fine...CZ

I love the format. This is why I feel we see the best racing of the year, by far, at the Knoxville Nationals. You have to remember the guys (and gals) that have to start in the back of the heats already have earned a ton of points in time trials.

The best racing you will see is in PA every week.

the dirt is just as good for passing as it was 10 years ago the difference is the competition is alot closer than it was then. i love the invert, Stevie Smith qualified 2nd quick, didn't make it out of his heat, ran 2nd in the b, still ended up 3rd in points, so even if they don't make it through the heat race they can still have a good night!!! WAY TO GO STEVIE !!!!

Knoxville has had full inverts on qualifying nights forever. Someone always posts that they're inverting too many. But, while you're entitled to your opinion, the points system rewards those who qualify well, have a heat race issue, and make the back of the A main through the B.

In my opinion, it's the qualifying night heat races that generate the best racing of the week. Your driver knows going in what the invert is - if he thought it was unfair, he would not race at Knoxville.

Once upon a time, the A main cars had to run heat races on Saturday night. As I recall, Dick Gaines got crashed out of his Saturday night heat after leading in points going into Saturday night; now that's not right!

Chuck.....

Leave the invert at 10!! I don't care if (famous driver X) is in the A main or not....I want to see hard charging and this format provides it.

(nodust and others can quit reading now)

I heard a rumor that the Late Model Nationals is thinking about changing to less of an invert....that is the biggest mistake they can make right now!

I have watched the Nationals for over 25 years. I believe overall that the format has and will continue to stand the test of time. Part of the special memories of this event have been caused by the format and it's unforgiveness. I will admit that speeds and equipment have made transitions out of the heats more difficult but in last night's case that was a function more of a heavy racetrack equalizing car/driver performance. Cars moved forward in later heats (S Kinser). First night qualifying is usually much tougher because of the heavier track in most years. Overall, it was a very entertaining and competitive night of qualifying which is what I expect on Nationals qualifying nights. Does it end up putting some drivers in the A Main Sat. which are unexpected, yes. But as was said last night after Shepard's win, this looks to be the 11th or 12th straight year the Jet will be in the A Main so it can be done consistently.