[racephoto1]

I know USAC told a couple of drivers that they'd be penalized for running North Vernon. DD being one of them. My question is this;

When you drive race cars for a living and a sanctioning body says no go on running a non sanctioned event, does the sanctioning body provide the driver with a stipend for not running ? It just seems to me that if you want drivers to race just for you, that they deserve something in return. In these tough economic times ,it has to be hard to turn down a shot at $3000 .

[boiler]

I never realized USAC held that much power over the drivers. What would they have done to a team owner that took a car to N. Vernon last night? I'm not pleased with this rule. I'm just a fan maybe attended a dozen races a year so I don't post much and understand that my opinion doesn't mean much to USAC, but I bet the Tracks like take my ticket, beer, and hot dog money.

[Charles Nungester]

Drivers used to get around this with different rides than their USAC car and often using ficticious names.

I could see it being hard for a driver, Expecially one who races for a living to miss. The USAC teams however, Not so much. That three grand woudln't pay the wear and tear as with about any event. Its all about bragging rights.

[indybail]

lol. Where do you think the term "Outlaw" for drivers came from? USAC and AAA before them have a tradition of doing this although not in recent memory as the "Outlaws" became predominant. These drivers are in good company.

[boiler]

I understand that a team owner running ISW points doesn't want to run @ a non-sanctioned track during ISW. However, as a fan if I see a team show up at a track like North Vernon during ISW i'm quickly becoming a fan of theirs. If a owner has a pair big enough to do that I'm a T-shirt buyer. I know this is the "outlaw" way. All of these thoughts are just MHO, I enjoy watching racers, guys racing out of their own pocket, I appreciate them and what they stand for. "Bragging rights" hell yes, let'em have it, until the next night of racing.

P.S. Chris I really appreciate your updates. Thanks

[Jerry Shaw]

You never like seeing less drivers, but the minute that TCRP started billing this race as "North Vernon Sprint Week", they were just daring USAC to enforce this rule that they started last year. And that they did. However, I think if they would have made this $5000 to win, like real Sprint Week races are, you might have seen a few more takers.

Jerry

I like Chris' question as well, because I do know the Outlaws fall under a rule similar to this, however, they get a considerable check for showing up at each event. Case and point, Bill Rose, they make more to roll through the gate at each Outlaw event than a typical USAC race pays to start.. unless something has changed??

[kstudley57]

From what Bill has told me, you are correct. He's paid tow money, then top 15 in points $, both higher than USAC start $ before a wheel ever hits the track.
The USAC rule is simple, if north Vernon had a USAC race, any USAC race, on it's schedule this season then all the boys could come play without being penalized. The money Windom, Clauson, Dd, and others would make in one night there is far less than the national driver point fund would pay even for finishing 10th on the year. The risk, doesn't outweigh the reward unfortunately tho, the fans bear this cost as well by not seeing the cream of the crop.
Posted using Mobile Device

people want big events then when USAC tries to protect those big events, in this case Sprint Week, people get upset because the drivers and teams don't show up for a race that pays less and is basically trying to steal a spot on the biggest sprint car "week" in Indiana. And comparing USAC and WoO is the old apples and oranges bit. WoO is a true national series and pays tow money to a certain amount of "regulars". I am sure the extra money is quickly ate up by the fuel bill just getting to each race. Notice how many tracks cannot afford a WoO show anymore, not many tracks in Indiana could afford the high purses and sanction fees WoO charge (witness the amount or lack of WoO races here or even reasonablly closeby) and therefore USAC can't raise purses etc beyond what tracks can afford. The rule also helps guarantee the top drviers and top teams will be at the USAC races and only those races therefore making them special and therefore a true racing event....... and you can say get a sponsor at the race track, sanction or whatever to raise the purses but good luck with that in these times of economic trouble. Even sponsors who love the sport can't afford to do do it right now..... be glad we have an awesome Sprint Week and support THOSE races and tracks who PAY the extra to be part of it....

[BrentTFunk]

Good for USAC. It only effects a handful of drivers,and it protects the series. As bad as North Vernon ran the race in April I am surprised any teams that were there would come back.