Track Prep and French Fries
 

Anytime I go out to eat I’m typically a sandwich guy. Which means I typically get French fries too. I like French fries. Usually, with ketchup. But sometimes I’m at a place that has good ranch dressing, so every once in a while, I’ll get the ranch. Then even less frequently I’ll be at a place that has good onion ring spicy dipping sauce, so I’ll have that. Each time, I eat the fries and really, there’s nothing to complain about most of the time.

I also know what to expect in the consistency of my French fries. McDonald’s always offers a mix of crisp and not so crisp. Chili’s has good consistency, but again every once in a while soggy. Steak and Shake has the shoestring fries, so they’re more crispy usually. But for the most part, whatever you serve up to me, I’m gonna eat because I’ve come to expect that French fries are inconsistent due to the many variables. Quality of potato, age of oil, temperature of oil, the person cooking it, and whether or not fries are being used much when I’m out to eat.

So what the hell does this have to do with track prep? I don’t expect a “perfect” track every night out. Most tracks have their own characteristics. Doesn’t make it good, doesn’t make it bad. Just different. I don’t go to McDonald’s expecting Chili’s French fries. As such, I don’t go to Lawrenceburg expecting a Kokomo track. I don’t go to Putnamville expecting a Plymouth track. Some of you are saying “Damn right, I wouldn’t either!” See what I just did there? You get it. Every track is different, every track has unique characteristics, and every track responds differently to weather trends, patterns, etc. Sometimes I go to McDonald’s and the fries were perfect. Every single one. Sometimes I go to Chili’s and they’re just not as good as the last time. But I’ll be back to give it another try. Even when “bad” its still not too bad, and its certainly better than eating at home.

I love tacky, hammer down, multiple groove race tracks. I love dry slick “single-lane” race tracks. I love dry slick tracks with a cush. I love slimy greasy tracks up to the wall. I like different types of French fries- crispy, soggy, seasoned, thick, thin, etc. As a fan, I have mad respect for the challenge of running on multiple tracks, multiple types of surfaces, and the adjustments in equipment and driving that occur.

If you only like one type of French fry, let’s assume Chili’s- what would happen if you went to the owner of a McDonald’s franchise and said “Your fries suck. They should be more like Chili’s.” That owner would probably think something along the lines of “Then go to Chili’s.” or “Then don’t eat them.” Would you incessantly continue to complain? Imagine what would happen if McDonald’s changed their fries to be more like Chili’s? You guessed it. McDonald’s fans would be like “What the hell? If I wanted Chili’s fries, I’d go to Chili’s.” Or perhaps you’d be like me and think “Those fries were more like Chili’s, not McDonalds. Still good though. If you like Kokomo, support Kokomo. If you like Lawrenceburg, support them. If you like them all, support them all. But my god… it amazes me the amount of “experts” there are across this state who know the exact recipe that creates the ultimate French fry. And are willing to tell everyone their secret.

Then there’s always the luck factor. Have you ever had French fries and after eating them think to yourself, “Well, those were good. I must have gotten lucky.” I chuckled at someone that said “Plymouth got lucky because it rained a lot that week.” Or last night “The rain caused Kokomo to be too fast on the bottom so the racing wasn’t good.” It is what it is. Sometimes you order fries that just got a new change of oil, and sometimes your fries have been sitting under a heat lamp.

Folks, let’s just enjoy it for what it is. Badass sprint car racing. The fries are good too.

I’d like to nominate the above for “post of the year”.

Re: Track Prep and French Fries
 

I 2nd that nomination!!

I want Steak n Shake now

Re: Track Prep and French Fries
 

I'm hungry! :D

What if we want chicken WINGS with our fries?

Re: Track Prep and French Fries
 

Move to Ohio.

Re: Track Prep and French Fries
 

sometimes they are burnt to a crisp, and I don't expect that out of any fry.

That's called a chip. And ya know, even when I really just want fries, if all they have are chips I'm happy with at least chips. But what happens when there's no more fries or chips and I really just want potato?!

Hmmmm

I prefer onion rings.

The fries at LPS were good last week! Haha. Really good post, I enjoyed that! Why gripe when we are in the middle of the best racing in 'Merica!?!?

One hell of a post but ranch with fries is like pineapple on pizza lol no really lol great post

Come try the best fries in the country this Saturday at TSS! Luv em!

Great post! Makes tremendous sense.

I go on the premise that if you took someone to a Sprint Car race for the first time would they come back.After experiencing the last three nights,cannot speak for Plymouth,they not only would never return,but I may lose them as a friend.😹Getting dusted down like a out of of control blowtorch is not most people’s idea of a good time.Remember,we accept this as long time fans,but People whose experience are NBA,NFL,MLB games are pretty ,how do we say surprised🙀If the point is to grow the sport and insure it continues after we are gone,not gonna happen.If it is just for us to enjoy now ,great.Make your decision.Maybe some of the stuff they use in New York that is mixed with water and then put down may be the answer.I just know when I go to races in other parts of Country the comments are always the same.Great racing,but why all the dust and hard to see conditions.Putnamville,your opportunity.

That's exactly the same premise I use when deciding whether to go. If a first timer wouldn't enjoy and unless it's something I really wanna see I'll skip it.

You're gonna always get dusted at Terre Haute. The next 3 nights will have great fast tracks. Cant wait!!!

Great post, and a lot of fun reply's, then David Mitchel comes along, hohummmmm!

Great post, and a lot of fun reply's, then naturally the bashers that would rather watch the nba comes along. Gheesh, suggestion, if you don't wanna see really great racing, AND, get a little dust in your beer, stay home with your remote!

Re: Track Prep and French Fries
 

If you are taking a friend to a dirt track for the first time it's up to you to set some level of expectations and the groundwork of what they should expect. I'm taking a co worker this Saturday to his first Sprint Car race.. He already knows it's going to be loud, might be dusty, what the food and restroom are like and cost to get in. What he does not yet know it the thrill of seeing a Sprinter blast into a turn sideways and kick a roost of dirt high in the sky. Some things you just can't explain.

Motorhead 748 hit it on head.Long time Sprinter not so much.Don’t think he cares about first timers,or growing sport😹thats’s fine though.Like I said its your decision,and feelings on future of sport.Also liked comment about the fries being burnt.Very subtle ,but speaks volumes.

I get the whole food thing but here’s the caveat. I don’t spend the day and $50 on French fries.

I've heard they do have some great ones.

I would spend $50 on Rally's fries...but only Rally's

Re: Track Prep and French Fries
 

Re: Track Prep and French Fries
 

It’s been a long time since I read post I’ve liked this much. Very well written and very much appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to write this.

Re: Track Prep and French Fries
 

I like Malt Vinegar on my French Fries.

Re: Track Prep and French Fries
 

I do if they are a natural cut fry like 5 Guys or Penn-Station. Then dip in some ketchup also.... and now I want 5 Guys......

Re: Track Prep and French Fries
 

Wendy's fries were better when they were plank style, now they suck 24/7, no hit or miss, just bad. I dig the metaphor though. Anybody else hungry?

Re: Track Prep and French Fries
 

Am I wrong for liking mayonnaise on my fries? Spending some time across the pond had ruined me in many ways.

Re: Track Prep and French Fries
 

Awesome post!

No I like tartar sauce with my french fries. Lol.

Re: Track Prep and French Fries
 

Yes, very wrong. Ruined beyond all repair...:19:

Re: Track Prep and French Fries
 

We went bowling with another couple one night and his wife put mayonnaise on her fries. We tried it and its been a regular thing ever since. Yum!:8:

I like to spread a blanket out at chilis the day before I go. We usually save 10 seats but only actually use 4.

Re: Track Prep and French Fries
 

Just bring your own damn relish! I think that one went on about five years! Right MC/Rider?

Re: Track Prep and French Fries
 

But if my french fry order contains one of those that got stock in the basket, fried twice and is hard, it will ruin my day.

Re: Track Prep and French Fries
 

I first had it at a café outside of Rotterdam.. . . saw other folks eating them this way and had to try.