Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

Some of you might find this interesting.........

http://gojackslash.blogspot.com/2007...nd-bitter.html

Jackslash.com

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

Well said Sean!! You should send that to National Speed Sport News

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

The racers ***** because they can't run for good money, The fans ***** when they do.

I felt a little ripped at the Hewitt Classic this year. Although the show paid well through the pack of each class, Only 30 cars or so showed up in each division and I think there was a 35 dollar sign on the pit gate that was quickly taken off and replaced with a 40 dollar one.

Make it exceptional or I'll just stick to Sat nights.
Chuck, who's felt this way about a great many things anymore besides racing, When you start to feel ripped off. IT ISN'T FUN ANYMORE!

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

Yeh, I heard that this certain based Indiana based sanctioning body didnt want any of their races shown Live by race/network.tv . That's crazy, why not try and promote your series and drivers. I watched the coverage of the western world and I thought it was awesome. I hope we get to see more Live races by them in 2008 !!

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

Sean doesn't lie folks.. he is hardcore.....nice write-up Sean.... sad it had to be in that context though....

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That's the wonderful part of life. It's full of choices. You have made your choice.

Your thing about "who are these people"...is the same thing I would say at a WoO race. I say maybe you are not keeping up with the times.

I'm sure you will be missed terribly there at Turkey Night next year, Mr. Robin Miller, Jr.

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This is the reality with openwheel racing in America. It has forgotten it's roots and let money and ******** come in and screw it up. ******** destroyed Indy (as well as some other things). I can only see that happening to midget racing as the years go by.

I am a huge Dave Darland fan and am happy beyond belief that he won.

I would love to see this race back on dirt. I am a dirt fan and have been for a long time. I do however love a good pavement race.

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

whoa, very well said...

"In Ascot's hay day, they had over 100 midgets show up for 30 spots in the show. 70 guys would load up. This was before ******** provisionals. The crowd was filled with dirt midget and dirt sprint car enthusiasts. You looked in the pits and you saw all the bad ass sprint and midget racers together under one roof. These weren't 16-23 year old thrillseekers, these were journeymen sprint and midget racers."

i couldn't agree more, being younger (24)...i would do anything to see those days when sprint fields were filled with cars and class like this...im very unhappy with the commercialized state that nascar has created in auto racing...they have run out all forms of open wheel racing, F1 wont even be back because its to difficult for the american market to comprehend.

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

Id10T alert !!!

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

you were to late!
aXe

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

Sat to see what it has become but do not worry the follow the leader parade will happen again in two weeks when they are at orlando speedway to asphalt train racing at its best.

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

Man I guess I just don't get it.....

While Darland checked out to a convincing and popular win the race from 3 through 10 was something to behold. There was more sliders thrown between Leffler, Kahne, Santo's, Wease, and Clauson then when someone snuck in White Castles to fat camp. Listening to the throngs of fans who converged to the pit area post race the feeling I got was this was one of the fiercest most hardcore pavement races they had witnessed. From my point a view there were those dressed in kahki's and polos and those dressed in jeans and racing shirts. The thing that sticks with me was the stands were full, the pits were full,and everyone I encountered seemed pretty excited the way they spent there turkey day and night. For those who looked past Darlands out front antics and back just few positions through the field I think they saw a glimpse of what USAC racing would be nightly if Nascar had not come a callin the Kahnes, Lefflers, Yeleys, and on and on. I also continue to be amazed how some of these guys can show up, some years removed from these cars and withen laps are right back in their element.

Tim

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

Tim, I don't think you get what his meaning was. It's not the on track action. It's the foreign feeling of racing and race fans, These are not your SPRINT and Midget fans, but NASCAR who none would venture to any track without the name Stewart, Yeley attached to it.

Not all the fans there were there for Nascar but thats whats filling the stands. If it helps short track racing, then Im for it. But is it really?
Chuck

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

That's a pretty adequate assessment.
People like Sean Buckley have been around the game for a long, long time. They know the deal. Jack Slash understands the ins and outs in ways that Tim Clauson never could and never will. That he has a forum to voice an opinion that's unpopular with the uninformed shouldn't be grounds to make him a target; it should make him a hero, a voice for the rest of us. Mission accomplished, in my book.
Keep telling the truth, Sean, in hopes that things cycle back around and we again see racers who live for the dirt and the glory, not just rich kids passing through.

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

You gotta be $h!ttin me!!!! Thats the dumbest statement I've heard on here in a long time.

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

I saw My first midget race in 1958, From then on I have heard from various sources year in and year out!!!, The big money guys ruin it, Its follow the leader. The fans are a bunch of cheese and cracker eaters. on and on over the years, You just have to tune the complainers out and hope they move on to something they enjoy more. As they seem very unhappy being at what they are complaining so much about about!
Every year I see some very good racing ever since that first one back in 58. Sure there are some stinkers and most of those imho are on the dirt, When it gets so dusty you cant hardly see them, or so dry and slick traction is just not there for any passing attempts! Sprinter shows are the worst at this. Not that the pavment doesnt throw up a stinker ever once in awhile also! But I still go. I dont get to go often enough but Every chance I get you will find me at the RACES. I am mostly a Midget fan but any races all are good most of the time.
You dont have any idea how many clubs and Tracks I have witnessed fall by the way side mainly because of complainers!!! Whats the old saying, Watch out for what you wish you just might get it!! Prime example San Jose speedway, A bunch of unhappy people thought they could do it better, The first round in the mid fifties was outlasted by that speedway. The second round brought about the shuttering of that great track and a few years later there is now "NO" racing in San Jose area at all!
aXe

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

I loved Turkey Night. The racing was about as good as any racing I've seen all year, especially on pavement. The people there made it even more of a great time for me. I love to see guys come in and just race, for the sole purpose of winning. Actually, I could hardly tell that Kahne and Stewart were there. Of course, I never went to the main grandstand and I didn't stand around watching their worshippers.

At the end of the day, the people who promote the race and put up the money take it to a place where they want it to be!! I only wish other places would step up in the same way!

In my opinion, complaining and complaining about this will get you nowhere. Go out and do something about it. Make your own race. Help to build the tradition of a race that you love. Why tear down one of the few events that still has meaning? I just can't believe that anybody would allow themselves to have such a miserable time at a RACE, of all places!!

My only complaint was the timing problem, but I forgot about that so quickly after the racing started, I had to wrack my brain just to come up with a gripe!! Can't wait for next year, which will bring another shot at winning the Fred Ercse Memorial!! :)

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

I dare you to say Mike Hunt as fast as you can three times in a row. :action-smiley-049:

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

:censor:
LOL!!!!:checkered:

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

Mike Hunt Mike Hunt Mike Hunt............That wasn't so bad LOL

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

Sorry the quality is not that great:D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWiKmyzDJx8

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

I know I should keep my nose (and my keyboard) the hell out of this one, but I just had to agree with Hoover on this one. I had a response to dfish's "Jack Slash understands the ins and outs in ways that Tim Clauson never could and never will" all typed up yesterday, but resisted. I succumbed to temptation now.
Remember the old Samuel Johnson "Tis better to remain silent .................. " quote when you think about jumping on a guy like Tim who has "been there, done that".

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

Okay, folks...

First, one guy stated an opinion on his own website, and all of a sudden it is a flamewar with aspersions being cast and motives questioned here. What the hell is wrong with this forum that a man's opinion given somewhere else threatens someone to the degree that people start insulting each other?

For the record, I know Sean Buckley and Tim Clauson very well. Sean I've known for 10 years, Tim, for over 20. To compare the two in terms of knowledge and passion for the sport of sprint and midget racing is ludicrous. Both are die hard fans of our beloved past time, and both have a better understand of what is going on than most. While I do not agree with Sean completely here, he has a right to his opinion. I think the thing that stuck in his craw so much about the night was the $65 pit pass. That is a ridiculous amount of money to spend to get into the area where they work on the cars. Anyone who says otherwise is motivated by greed, or insanity. I've been saying it for the past couple years, that this race has become more like a Hollywood Premiere than an actual auto racing event.

Do I like the Turkey Night Grand Prix appearing on pavement? Not really. I would much rather see it run at Perris Auto Speedway or some reasonable facsimile. Alas, this race is too much of a money maker for it EVER to be moved. And make no mistake, people. The promoters and organizers of this event are all about that.

However, that all said, I wish to say how thoroughly pleased I was that Dave Darland won the 67th running of the Turkey Night Grand Prix. We teased him in victory lane that he had run them all, but the truth is, the guy has been trying to win this race for a very long time. When it moved to pavement permanently, the odds became longer, as we all know Dave is not exactly a pavement specialist. But Kelly Drake and the boys gave Dave the perfect race car, and he won the race going away. Good for Dave! It was a very popular victory by a very popular driver. I know I couldn't be happier for him.

As for the rest of the racing, I found the battle from 2nd to 5th to be very enjoyable all race long. Tim Clauson is right, the slide jobs and the cross overs between some of the best midget racers of the past decade were fantastic. There was only a short period of time before the first (and only) caution that things got spread out and no racing was to be found. But, once they bunched up and started going at it, it was a full on knock down, drag out war for 2nd - 5th. They went green flag over the final 58 laps and the action was constant! I really enjoyed that.

But, I digress...Bottom line is, I just don't understand why some people on this board are so threatened by the opinions of others. It's like this place is some sort of alternate universe or something, where common sense, and most importantly, common courtesy is thrown out the window anytime a debate starts. Why? We all love this sport. What are we fighting about?

And finally, I know for a fact that Sean Buckley would never say that he "knows the ins and outs" more than Tim Clauson ever could. Sean is a pretty humble guy, and doesn't think he is any better than anyone else. He just does what he does. These words should not be attributed to him in the slightest. Because, that's complete and utter nonsense. Both Sean and Tim have been positive contributors to this sport, more so than most. Each deserve a certain amount of courtesy and respect for their efforts. PERIOD.

DM - "That's all I have to say about that" - Tom Hanks, 'Forrest Gump'

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

Im inclined to agree with Buckley...what happened to the good old days of people racing because they want to...not just to step into a Sprint Car or Midget just for a year until Nascrap or some other asphalt series picks them up. I always thought Dirt was for racing? Or was I mislead somewhere.

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

I think we all have lost sight of one thing very very important regardless of opinions, thoughts, facts and rumors. Everyone wants to see sprint car racing achieve more. Kinda like when you send someone off to college, you want to see them achieve, but you still want to hold on to the kill switch.... just in case they stray. It is the exact concept in racing.... regardless of the sanctioning body, the promoter, or whoever else. Look how far this sport has came, and that has came at a cost to all, fans, teams, owners, EVERYONE. So...lets take a step back at reality for a second... regardless of who posts what and their views.... we are in a evolving sport....regardless if we like, it hate it, or need it. I respect everyones views on here who has something remotely intelligent to say... and the witty comments as well. Just step back... look and see what the sport is... what it was.... and then what it will be... because that is reality.... Thats all.

"Momma said them was my special shoes...they could take me anywhere." Forrect Gump

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

When people raced simply because they wanted to, Chris, they could invest a few hundred in a car and go racing. Now it is many thousands of dollars and you spend a weeks pay to compete one night between tires, fuel for both the hauler and race car, pit passes, etc. Not many want to do that. Also, I guarantee that if the NASCAR opportunities were available back then those drivers would have jumped just as fast. Why not? You're a millionaire within a couple of years even if you're a backmarker. Finally, while there are many more dirt ovals in this country (799 to 245 paved ovals as of the end of 2004 per Alan Brown's Speedway Directory) the fact that there are 245 paved ovals shows that many racers and fans enjoy that type of racing.

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

Dean, I pretty much agree with everything you had to say. That's pretty entertaining in itself, at least for Mr. Clauson. haha

I will say that this topic was started by Buckley, so I can only conclude that he wanted a debate such as this one, of course without the flamings and jokes about a funny name.

Chris - why else would all these guys go to California on Thanksgiving other than wanting to race? That's why all those guys who were "picked up" return for that one. And I can tell you that guys like Kahne, Clauson, Wise, and Santos will keep running it until they win it. It's that kind of race. Actually, the funny part I've always found about those who get "picked up" and actually make it are the ones who would have been more than happy racing sprint cars and midgets forever. So pardon them for doing just that, even if it brings a few people into the stands that may not be the most seasoned or knowledgeable...

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

As someone that was part of a family that scraped the bottom of the barrel for sponsorship dollars and almost couldnt eat because we had to race...I tend to lean towards the weekend racer rather than the racer that wants to just race for a couple of years and then leave the sport to go to Nascar...I just hate pavement that much..sorry. And I did feel sorry for the Shumans, and the Gardners that didnt get to race in a race that they should have been in. Is it their fault that they prefer dirt over pavement. Im bowing out of this debate, I dont have near enough experience in this field to warrant a good argument.

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

Buckley obviously knew that his blog post was going to be read, debated and discussed when he wrote it, just as myself and every other poster on this site knows their posts will be. So, I am not surprised in the least that people have stepped forward to disagree or agree with my statements about Turkey Night and Tim Clauson.

I guess the reason I agreed so whole-heartedly with Buckley and added my own two cents was because I am sick of the current state of sprint car and midget racing. I am sick of NASCAR money in the sport. I am sick of rich kids with rich fathers using the dirt as a mere stepping stone. I am sick of watching 15-year-old boys and girls drive machines that have been killing grown men for over 50 years. I am sick of the sprint car pit area looking like a summer camp/fashion show/trend contest. I am sick of people who know very little about the culture act like they're grizzled veterans.

Why do I keep watching, even though all this pisses me off so much? Because, like most of you, I am addicted and have been since birth. And Mills is right -- this board is like an alternate universe sometimes, but we know that when we log on. Rest assured, though, what I've just typed is nothing I'd be afraid to put into words, to anyone. That's how strongly I feel about it and how sick of it all I am.

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

sprint/midget racing...its a love/hate relationship...nothing has ever created such a feeling in me, watching the way these machines flirt with the edge of disaster lap after lap...i think we all know this feeling and thats why arguments break out, finally gettin blown out of context...

chad, who dreams of those 70's nights of sleeping in barns at the nationals .

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

Over a period of about 30 years, I have made three trips to California to attend Turkey Night races: one each at Ascot, Bakersfield, and Ventura. Loved all three!
I enjoy an occasional pavement race, but I certainly would not go to Irwindale or any other California paved track for Turkey Night events.** The distance itself would not deter me, as I've made the trip to Phoenix for the "real" Copper World races quite a few times. But to compare that event and track to the Irwindale event is clearly akin to comparing apples vs lemons.

** unless the lottery or an inheritence would suddenly supplement my two monthly retirement checks :emote20:

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

We can argue this to death but it still comes down to tradition for me. This was the biggest midget race of the year. That was until they put it on the pavement. This race was even bigger than the chili bowl at one time. Now only a few can compete against Steve Lewis money the rest is history. All you need to do is look at the past results since it has become a pavement race. When it was on the dirt only Ron Shuman was able to win more than his share but you also had 150 other cars that had the potental to run up front or win and not with a 35,000 dollar plus motor. This is a west coast race and needs to be put back on the 1/2 mile. My vote would be for Manzanita Speedway. Maybe under new ownership they might be able to make it happen. JMO

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

Yea what Mills said.

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

[QUOTE=Eagle14;18915] Kinda like when you send someone off to college, you want to see them achieve, but you still want to hold on to the kill switch.... just in case they stray. :headbang::censor:

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

There would also be guys sitting on the sidelines if it was a dirt race...?

Oh yeah, who are the rich kids with rich dads using dirt as a stepping stone? Nearly every successful young driver I've met is NOT of the "filthy rich" variety, and almost every one of them comes from a racing family, of some sort.

I'm tired of people being jealous of those with money. What message board can I visit to ***** about that?

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

Some kids get to watch alot of the races because they have rich dads.

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

Hahaha!
I've yet to meet one, Joe, but I'll believe you! :emote20:

Re: Turkey Night has gone cold and bitter
 

My rich Dad is Master/Card and Visa..:rolling: