Seems to me the sprint car count is down quite a bit. 20 to 25 cars a night.

2 or 3 heats and a feature..

I think the drivers and the fans deserve more sprint races with small fields.

I suggest...

Standard pill draw to set up 2 or 3 heats.

run the heats - use passing points.

fully invert the heats, based on passing points, and run the same heats again. ( might want to reverse the order of running the heats, to try to take into account changing track conditions) Calculate passing points on the second heat, and put together with the first heat.

now, put together all the cars based on passing points - this is the feature, except,

there is a "dash" - this will be the "dash for cash" - get the casino to sponsor - $500 to winner. winner take all! take the top 8 or 10 cars by passing points - fully invert them and run 8 laps - the finish order will be the first 8/10 cars in the feature - since the best cars will probably start at the tail of this event - they will probably end up in the middle of the results for the start of the feature. But, this will enable a car that does not usually win, to take home $500.00. (also, if someone can go last to first in the "dash" they get double - $1000.)

The feature is a standard race - the 10 cars from the "dash" - based on finish - plus the remaining cars by accumulated passing points.

This will add 2 or 3 heats to the night and a "Dash".

I think the fans will enjoy it a lot better, and gives another race to every contestant. and, the purse is increased by $500.00 at no cost to the track.

a win-win for everyone. Drivers, Fans, Track!!

what do you think?

obviously - start it next year.

[BuckeyeBullet]

If low car counts persist at the Burg then I agree with your idea...plus I always did like the passing points format :thumb

[1BIGracefan]

What about track conditions you are asking for four more Sprint car races a night. I love the idea I just hope if they do it the track can and will hold up. The more Sprint car races I can see on a given night I am all for.

[Charles Nungester]

I don't know if there is a specific reason some teams aren't coming. I kinda chalk it up to the staying close to home factor and the fact that two or three other tracks are trying to run NW shows on Sat nights. Car counts will pick up as the year goes on as other tracks close or run only a special or two after Labor Day.

Im all for more Sprint racing. The 4-6 heat days were awesome and I hope return again. However this plan causes more racer expense for the same purse? That Casino has no interest in the SPeedway and isn't as in as good of shape as many think it is with the addition of Belltara, Indianapolis downs and a couple other Casinos its market has been diluted as well.

IM All for it except for the dash Idea. Don't know why but Dashes do nothing for me and can wipe out what a driver has earned in the other races or qualifying but I think it's going to take a 3000-300 purse to make it work Also what happens when 40 cars show up? 12 heat races? Don't B*tch about a late night Perfection to me is 4 maybe 5 heats with just enough cars for a consi and a fair shot at the feature. More than 28-30 cars and the racers are diluting their own purse or even tow money for that matter. I like a few cars more than a full feature field so if a couple misshaps or break downs happen. The feature is still full.

Did I get that the Gaines classic was only 15 dollar addmission? at least thats what the Burg website said a couple days ago.

20 cars or 50 cars, Im happy. Its still not close to the 9 car 20 dollar shows of the early 90s that indeed felt like rip offs.
Chuck

I agree im not a big fan of the dash either. Maybe b/c I have seen too many good cars wrecked in a stupid dash.

I was wondering about the car counts myself. I thought maybe its just b/c the track started late. So I went to asking some folks. I have heard seat time b/4 usac shows as a reason that others were there. So could it pick back up b/4 the big race at end of year for track time? I would say yes for that reason. Then I was told by someone that it was not in the best intrest for some teams to attend weekly anymore. Said for them to take family,friends,crew weekly not be wise.

I dont have anything to compare that to though as I have never taken family and friends an crew to any tracks.

I am just hoping its b/c the late start.

[cecil98]

It's a good idea from a fan standpoint, and I know the fans have to be taken care of but, the extra track time without additional purse money would just about put us out of business. It costs us $50 for a regular show and $60 for a special show to get into the pits. We buy an average of 20 gallons of fuel per show at $70. If you make the show and don't finish in the top 9, you get $200. Figure in a new tire about every three shows and the diesel fuel to get to and from the track (even though we are fairly close to the track) and food and drink for the evening and the $200 doesn't go too far. This doesn't include regular maintenance (oil changes etc.) and repair on the race car, either. We don't plan on making money by racing there but, we can't absorb much more in costs either. I'm sure there are other teams in our boat, as well.

[mcintosh34]

The biggest reason car counts are down everywhere is cost. Your format would just add cost to the racer, in added fuel burned, tires worn and equipment torn up.In my opinion just reducing the car count more.
Robert mcIntosh

[Dwight Clock]

Originally Posted by mcintosh34 The biggest reason car counts are down everywhere is cost. Your format would just add cost to the racer, in added fuel burned, tires worn and equipment torn up.In my opinion just reducing the car count more. Robert mcIntosh

I agree. The way to increase car counts is to leave the racing format as is and beef up the lower end of the purse, even if it means taking a little off the top. See Paragon.

[Go Fast]

Nobody that runs the Burg want's to hear it, but they are going to have to adopt the DT3 tire rule if they want more cars.

I have heard teams say many times this year that they would go to the Burg, but don't want to buy an open tire that they can only run there.

That, along with the addntl tow cost from Indy makes it too costly.

JMO and I expect to get blasted for it, but that is what I have heard.

[Charles Nungester]

It might be stupid but I'll ask the question, If one track and I can't speek for any promotor were to say double the weekly purse or offer a 3000-300 would that bring teams in? Im just asking because sometimes it seems like Purse isn't a factor and other times it is a big factor. I don't think a track needs a sanction to have a big show, We used to have several great turnouts and higher purses without it, like schedualing a 5000 to win show up against the Kings Royal.

Just asking and of course, Im not the one who'd be taking the risk.
Chuck