Re: Winchester Updates?
 

Originally Posted by psullivan:
1) There was a great crowd
2) Charlie Shaw told people that their ticket stub was worth 3 buck off any Winchester event because the crowd was great and the car count was low
3) The feature was absolutely compelling regardless of the car count - there was stuff happening everywhere - -

Couldnt have said it better myself. For a 15 car field there were some pretty damn good battles out there

Re: Winchester Updates?
 

A short field but a good night of racing. You had only two yellows and two lead changes between three drivers. A nice size crowd and the fireworks were great afterwards as well. We were still out of there before bed check for Dyno Don!:3::15:

Re: Winchester Updates?
 

The battle between the top 8 or 9 cars was great. I've been a little under the weather and was not even going to go but I am glad I did. The support classes only had 12 mini stocks and 3 street stocks. I have been going to races since I was in diapers and am now 58 and I don't ever remember any track owner or promoter telling the fans he was disappointed with the car count. Hats off to Charlie Shaw telling fans to keep their ticket stub and it would be good for $3 off at any race the rest of the year at Winchester.....He didn't have to do that...Thanks Charlie !!

Re: Winchester Updates?
 

Charlie Shaw is one of the best things that could have happened to Winchester after the Holderman's decided to let it go. He's a really great guy and loves his Winchester and racing. Good job Charlie.:8:

Re: Winchester Updates?
 

I'm not one of those people that gets hung up with car counts. I'd rather watch 10 cars that are fast and all have a chance to beat each other than 30 not so good cars. I always laugh when people post and ask what the car count is going to be. Seems silly to me....just show up. With that said, Winchester is in danger of people deciding not to come anymore for USAC. A lot of people aren't going to go to a show that only has 15 cars no matter what the racing is like. A few years back they were around 25 cars which is just fine...now 15. Richmond had 17 which I thought was great for being so far from most home bases. Only 15 for Winchester with it being much closer? I know it's a bit more difficult to run so that does keep some away, but still.... It was also a weeknight as well, but the numbers are down for Sunday shows as well. Don't know the answer to fix it, but I do think fans will stop coming.

Re: Winchester Updates?
 

Probably right -- but it isn't like we haven't been down this road before - I announced the Pat O'Connor/Joe James race in 1996 (I think) and we had 15 or 16 cars and that was the rule all summer long - it grew and grew well for awhile - and now it is in a downturn likely because of the economy and perhaps because some have had the notion that this is the fast track to NASCAR dashed. That doesn't mean that this race wasn't worth supporting. There was a time when the maximum number of cars in the feature was 18 -- and on this night the quality was superb. Yes there are some things that might need to be addressed short of the economy improving. But in a crowded sports niche - the fact that USAC has a series that runs dirt and pavement makes it a unique championship - and it does give drivers a chance to run pavement if they are going somewhere else. From a USAC perspective - and I realize that for some of you that doesn't matter - dropping pavement would relinquish this unique niche and make the club very vulnerable (again some of you may not care). There may have been 15 cars at Winchester last night - but it was Winchester - and all you can do is marvel at those guys because it is sensational and terrifying to watch them.

Re: Winchester Updates?
 

Originally Posted by psullivan:
Probably right -- but it isn't like we haven't been down this road before - I announced the Pat O'Connor/Joe James race in 1996 (I think) and we had 15 or 16 cars and that was the rule all summer long - it grew and grew well for awhile - and now it is in a downturn likely because of the economy and perhaps because some have had the notion that this is the fast track to NASCAR dashed. That doesn't mean that this race wasn't worth supporting. There was a time when the maximum number of cars in the feature was 18 -- and on this night the quality was superb. Yes there are some things that might need to be addressed short of the economy improving. But in a crowded sports niche - the fact that USAC has a series that runs dirt and pavement makes it a unique championship - and it does give drivers a chance to run pavement if they are going somewhere else. From a USAC perspective - and I realize that for some of you that doesn't matter - dropping pavement would relinquish this unique niche and make the club very vulnerable (again some of you may not care). There may have been 15 cars at Winchester last night - but it was Winchester - and all you can do is marvel at those guys because it is sensational and terrifying to watch them.

Good point, many CRA Super Series events at Winchester bring non-regular racers who want to run there just so they can say they have raced at Winchester. On the same token I know a couple of regular series racers who won't run there, because it's Winchester. Also being a week night event, that can hurt. If people are working, and have used up vacation time for midget week or sprint week, that can keep a few cars home. I know for myself seeing a full field where the tail markers or slow cars be in the way or causing cautions isn't worth the trouble. I would rather see 15 cars who are all running close to each other.

I am leaving for Toledo shortly, and being that this may be the last time I can see USAC run so close to home, I am just going to have to be grateful for that regardless of the car count.

Re: Winchester Updates?
 

Originally Posted by psullivan:
Probably right -- but it isn't like we haven't been down this road before - I announced the Pat O'Connor/Joe James race in 1996 (I think) and we had 15 or 16 cars and that was the rule all summer long - it grew and grew well for awhile - and now it is in a downturn likely because of the economy and perhaps because some have had the notion that this is the fast track to NASCAR dashed. That doesn't mean that this race wasn't worth supporting. There was a time when the maximum number of cars in the feature was 18 -- and on this night the quality was superb. Yes there are some things that might need to be addressed short of the economy improving. But in a crowded sports niche - the fact that USAC has a series that runs dirt and pavement makes it a unique championship - and it does give drivers a chance to run pavement if they are going somewhere else. From a USAC perspective - and I realize that for some of you that doesn't matter - dropping pavement would relinquish this unique niche and make the club very vulnerable (again some of you may not care). There may have been 15 cars at Winchester last night - but it was Winchester - and all you can do is marvel at those guys because it is sensational and terrifying to watch them.

Once again, Pat's observations are the voice of reason and good common sense. I nominate this for post of the week.

Pat, I've been around this sport long enough to remember when a feature had Twelve starters. Twelve! Now you know that was a LONG time ago.

I pray USAC keeps the pavement shows, because without them, they are just another club.

Thank you Pat.