Here are some observations of last nights Mud Summer Classic from just a fan in attendance.
1)It wasn't the best race that I saw all year but it certainly wasn't the worst either.
2)The track was prepped exactly as it needed to be for the type of vehicle racing. It really wasn't your normal dirt track experience.
I was very surprised with the few yellows mostly for debris. Not your typical NASCAR yellow but they actually had debris on the track to pick up.
I thought for a while that we might be in trouble. The lights went out and it delayed the start of the feature. That could have spelled disaster with the overflow crowd on hand.
3)The crowd was electric and this is how I wish open wheel racing could be presented. The whole atmosphere was exciting and Eldora came off to the first time attendees as a special place....an event if you may.
4)Quite surprisingly most of the fans were well behaved and sat down for most of the show. We had a group of 20 or so standing right in front of us for the first 5 laps of the feature but when reminded????? sat down and allowed everyone to see the race.
5)The 50/50 winner went home with over $17,000 more than they came with. To bad it wasn't me.
6)Since NASCAR used the magic formula of locking in 20 positions before hand, the heat races weren't as exciting as they could have been. Open it up to all and see how the fenders start rubbing.
7)Roger Slack certainly learned a thing or two from Humpty Wheeler when it comes to pyrotechnical displays. Fireworks in the sky over Eldora.
Something about flames and racing.
8)NASCAR did a good job with the breaks between each segment. Instead of bringing all trucks in and have a 10-15 minute break, three laps for 15 trucks and then bring in the next 15 trucks. Absolutely no down time.
9)I am always proud of being able to make a correct prediction. Last night a man sitting behind us was well oiled and proud of the fact that he had been drinking since 7 AM. I told RacinBabe that before feature time the true story will be told.
Right on cue he puked all over the place and then settled in and was rather quite for the semi.
At this point in time he promptly ate something and at the start of the feature was again barfing all over himself. I don't think he even got to see the race.
God I love it when I make the right call.
10)Finally, some of the most intense racing of the evening was reserved for the maniacs leaving the parking lot. Always interesting seeing the real "professionals" racing out of the parking lot.
An interesting evening for sure. Quite surprised with how some of the dirt track ringers performed, or shall I say didn't perform.
Makes you wonder if their reputation takes a hit or not?