[Charles Nungester]

As a fan, I go to see the top class, Especially when I travel. The more of that class racing the better.

I go to another series shows quite often because it's quite common to see 30 plus car counts, sometimes 40-50 or more.

Its a lot of racing and IMHO fair to the racers to have five or six heats and take three and three from two consi's from a smaller field in each consi.

I really enjoyed the Clauson Celebration, The only thing I'd change is have single car qualifying and set the lineups accordingly as I'm not a big fan of seeing the same group of the track twice.

USAC's format works great for 32 and under. Up to 40 its acceptable if given ten lap heats. But it's really difficult for anyone not at the top of the game to transfer from the four heat, one consi format when your starting 13 cars in a 8 lap heat or 22 cars in a 12 lap consi.

I think racers just want a fair shot at making the feature and its one reason why some locals avoid it. I also see the qualifying and starting slower cars behind reasons as well.

I don't expect a overnight change or may never get a change. But it would be so cool to see Sprint Week and a couple other better attended races like Spring opener and some fall races like four crown in the bigger car format in the future.

You could just have it in the rule book, At 36 entries the large car format is in effect. for five heats, at 44 for six heats.

At my local track, I keep track of the other classes, But when I travel. Im there for the top class. Most tracks have locals that are good racers, might not have the 900hp motor but can race their way in and I think all they want is a fair shot at doing so.

Might never anything be changed over this and it should be taken up within the org.

Just wondering what your thoughts are? I love a lot of racing in the featured class. Loved the Downey Memorial for Mods with six heats, three consi's as that was the featured class.

Oh well, I honestly choose the more racing when I travel. Best of the best or not, The racers are what make the actual racing exciting and I've seen great racing at both consistently. We even got to watch Cottle come from the back of the B to second and from the back of the A to fifth or sixth. at the Clauson Celebration

Chuck

[chathamracefan]

I agree with your post. I know this event is it's own animal, but that may be the best thing about the Chili Bowl. The double mains for each letter of the alphabet give a guy a reasonable chance to keep moving forward. Instead of having 1 24 car D main, they split it into 2 & start 12 or so in each. Gives a guy a chance to race his way in.

At some of the big late model shows, you will see a 20 car B main for 12 laps for 2 spots. Anyone past 10th or so might as well not bother.

[Charles Nungester]

Originally Posted by chathamracefan I agree with your post. I know this event is it's own animal, but that may be the best thing about the Chili Bowl. The double mains for each letter of the alphabet give a guy a reasonable chance to keep moving forward. Instead of having 1 24 car D main, they split it into 2 & start 12 or so in each. Gives a guy a chance to race his way in. At some of the big late model shows, you will see a 20 car B main for 12 laps for 2 spots. Anyone past 10th or so might as well not bother.

I understand your point, But the accumulated point system by running heats and qualifiers is confusing to even long time race fans unless your scoring and have the formula they use. The USAC and other format is simple. Top four, YOUR IN. Top Three in my case in large count format. YOUR IN. Often the best race within the heat is for that transfer spot.

As for your LM comment, The only World One Hundred I went to had a 42 car D main. It was insane the amount of cars on the track. All for six transfers to the C which started 26. Vern Lefevers was running seventh in that race, Pulled along side the six place runner and that guy put him in the wall to keep his spot.

[ThrowbackRacingTeam]

I, too, would prefer 5 heats with 8 in each inverting 8. I never like 2 B-mains but drivers might think that gives them the best shot.

[Mattmac05]

The USAC format definately isnt perfect, but they have made improvements. I dislike the fact that if you qualify like 32nd or worse, I believe , then the only way to not be in the C is to make the top 4 and transfer straight to the A. For example if a driver lays down a slow lap for whatever reason and starts 12th(with 48 cars this can be the case), let's say the driver gets up on the wheel for 10 laps and drives all the way to 5th, one spot from the A transfer, they won't start 1-4 in the B, they will in fact revert back to qualifying and be in the C. I understand they are trying to stress the importance of laying down 1 quick lap, but the format negates hard racing and passing. Maybe I am wrong about the format but this is the way I understand the format.

[Charles Nungester]

Exactly. Its a huge 8 ball to get out from behind if you don't qualify well for whatever reason. Only made worse by larger counts.

I understand the only inverting six and starting the two or four slowest behind them, Some may not even be capable of racing with them. However in the example like the first post at the Clauson Celebration.. Cottle would have had to run a C main and finish top four just to enter the B main

[billw]

i like the new woo format as far as where you finish in your heat directly affects your main starting spot... if you time bad and have a good run in the heat but not transfer you can improve your starting spot alot.. i also like that they no longer give pts for their provisionals

[Charles Nungester]

Do they still do the WoO heats straight up? I always hated that and its why I prefer Usac's format better. Even if you are fastest or second fastest qualifier in your heat, You still have to pass to get in.

[BrentTFunk]

I figure if it ain't broke don't fix it. With all the first time winners this year, something must be right.

[billw]

yes woo still starts heads up... i dont like that part of their format