Duquoin Comments
 

Spectacular is the only word. Wide , fast and racy. Balls to the walls as they say. Kyle Larson had them covered , but it was racy from 2nd on back. It's a long drive from Indy, but worth every mile.

I also want to thank the Bob Sargeant group for putting on a great program and surface. Also want to say they had a pretty decent crowd. The thing is this place has a reputation for great races, and tonight it fulfilled it. If you stayed home tonight, you shouldn't have.

Congratulations to Kyle , Pete , Keith and the crew.

Re: Duquoin Comments
 

Awesome stuff, it figures, the day I finally decided to relax and not go to Haubstadt, Kokomo or Duqoin and go watch the straight line NHRA madness on the starting line, is the day that I miss the wildness. Good stuff Chris, I may post some starting line shots, but I would have loved to be at the dirt

Larson put on a clinic. He ran the cushion when it was the fast way and then ran the car like he was on pavement when it slicked off. He pulled away from the field both ways. He obviously knows how to read the track. He is going to be a star wherever his career takes him. I know it been a long time, but I don't remember Gordon being this good at all the types of cars this young. It's easy to forget so not saying he is better at this age, but he's got things figured out pretty well.

Great job by the staff on running the show. Track was good and they kept the show moving. I'm glad I made the trip and will be back.
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Re: Duquoin Comments
 

Does anybody know why Galen and the Foxco team were not there???

DD reported earlier that repairs were not completed from their Springfield wreck.
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Re: Duquoin Comments
 

What a GREAT race!! If you weren't there you missed a good one. Larson was top of the class and really hooked up. One thing he could do better was getting off turn 2 when he headed down the backstretch. Another thing was the way he could throw it into turn 1 was impressive also. After the race checked out the RR and he still had tread left.

That was simply amazing. The track was very good. We were looking forward to this race and it did not disappoint. We will definitely be back next year.

Thanks to all of the drivers who talked with Sam and signed his hat. He was as excited for this race as any all season.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.396649,-87.313899

Re: Duquoin Comments
 

Originally Posted by openwheelKT:
I know it been a long time, but I don't remember Gordon being this good at all the types of cars this young. It's easy to forget so not saying he is better at this age, but he's got things figured out pretty well.

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I think your memory is fading, plus look at the guys Gordon was racing against vs the fields now.....no comparison.

Re: Duquoin Comments
 

Sitting in turn one, I will say Larson was a blast to watch as he threw it in sideways hard for those first 25 laps trying to catch BC :8:
Temp was great, beer was cold and plenty, got to visit with Jack and Jody Hewitt, and had a great time.
Oh, the race was decent, too.:6:

Still not a fan of the twin 50s.....

Originally Posted by racefan20:
I think your memory is fading, plus look at the guys Gordon was racing against vs the fields now.....no comparison.

I thought the SC results came at 19/20, that's what I wasn't sure about. So thought he was a little older than Kyle now. Not saying he's won more overall at this age. Should have phrased it better.
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Re: Duquoin Comments
 

What's most amazing about Kyle Larson isn't necessarily his total list of accomplishments up to this point (don't get me wrong, it's a pretty damn good list) but his ability to pick stuff up so quick. He's been able to go from zero to really good on three different types of race cars, on both types of track surfaces and various track sizes. It's hard to imagine what his potential might be.

Jerry

Re: Duquoin Comments
 

I believe Kyle is the first to win in all three USAC divisions in 2011

Re: Duquoin Comments
 

Originally Posted by racefan20:
I think your memory is fading, plus look at the guys Gordon was racing against vs the fields now.....no comparison.

Talking all forms of USAC?
The competition is definately way harder to beat NOW! You had butler, vogler, Elliot and a few others that were always up front but todays fields are 20 cars that have and can win at any time.

Not saying Larson is definately better than those of the past. Im saying the field is better than say late 80s till 2000

Re: Duquoin Comments
 

Originally Posted by mortboyz:
Sitting in turn one, I will say Larson was a blast to watch as he threw it in sideways hard for those first 25 laps trying to catch BC :8:
Temp was great, beer was cold and plenty, got to visit with Jack and Jody Hewitt, and had a great time.
Oh, the race was decent, too.:6:

Still not a fan of the twin 50s.....

Randy,

I HATE the format and everyone around me was confused by the stoppage. I have been to every race since 1965 and this was the smallest crowd I have ever seen. I know of several people that stayed away because of the format. I hate to see another tradition go by the wayside. I expressed my displeasure to Bob Sargent and you may do so by calling Track Enterprises at (217)764-3200.
I am by no means bashing Mr. Sargent, I just would like to see a return to the classic, traditional 100 miler.
I also asked Bob about the possibility of his return to promotion at THAT. He stated that he is working on it, but that was as far as it went. THAT is badly in need of a stabilizing force.

---------- Post added at 03:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:07 PM ----------

One comment I have about DuQuoin, that does not pertain to the race, is that there seemed to be more of a willingness to accommodate fans by transporting them to and from the parking areas. First time ever that we were transported from the gate to the grandstand and back to the parking lot after the race. I don't recall seeing the trams taking people back to the parking lot after the races before. A nice touch!

You are correct - competition of the field is every bit as good now if not better than when Jeff ran. Not saying that Larson I'd better, but last night was special
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Re: Duquoin Comments
 

Although the track was better than I've seen recently there, there is still room for improvement. The race was totally awesome the first 25 laps until it took rubber then it was just ok. I wish they would try not packing it so hard with the big trucks.I think there would be less chance of rubber down. Can you imagine a 100 laps of what we saw in the first 25? That would start to pack the stands again. To all those that didn't go, the track prep/surface was much better this year at Springfield and Du Quoin so if I were you I would make plans for these next year! They both had cushions through TT's and Du Quoin for much of the race. It's so cool to see these cars on the miles when there's a high groove you don't want to miss it. Watching Larson back it in to turn one was a thing of beauty! Can't wait for next year.

Re: Duquoin Comments
 

It was exciting to witness Kyle take to the Magic Mile like he owned it. The battle back in the back was worth the price of admission alone. A big thanks to Bob Sargent and crew along with Mother Nature to have a great surface to race on.

I agree with Ronmil that this was the smallest crowd I can remember at DuQuoin in all of the years I have been going. The weather was perfect with overcast during the day which helped keep the track racey. If you are counting votes, RacinBabe and I vote to ditch the 51/49 and let's go racing for 100. The halfway stop really didn't do much in my opinion.

Re: Duquoin Comments
 

I agree about getting away from the mid race stop

I agree that it was an unusually small crowd

I do think that the 50% chance of rain forecast didn't help

But I'll tell you, USAC has got to figure out a way to get that car count up.
Mid twenties for Springfield and DuQuoin is getting DANGEROUSLY low in my opinion

Re: Duquoin Comments
 

I personally hate the 1/2 way stop. Silver Crown cars are designed to go the distance, and this is what makes them unique and what brought me to this series in the first place. Changing the format of the race where you have a red stop at lap 51 turns this into 2 sprint car races -- where the 1st half is a heat race to determine your starting position, and the 2nd half is the feature. The only one that benefits is the tire companies. At DuQuoin this year, even the tire companies didn't make out. What's the point?

Re: Duquoin Comments
 

I agree with SC90's post completely

I liked it more when it meant something........... There is a lot that goes into running 100 miles without a stop.

It's called "race driving"

Re: Duquoin Comments
 

Gordon waas good but I don't remember him winning as much as Larson is in as many different types of cars. Midgets, Sprints, SIlver Crown, WInged and dirt or pavement. Gordon was good but he also had tested a lot before he ran the cars, plus it was the same team and cars and not whatever pops up for Larson to run.
I would hate to see him go but Larson needs to make the next step while he is hot and young.

Just thinkin'
:35:

ps 100 lap mile races are tradition, Mario & A.J never stopped at 51?

Re: Duquoin Comments
 

We got back home after the 6 hour drive from Du Quoin last evening (Tues.) and had a great time while we were there. The fair was good as usual with a classic car show on Sunday Morning which I hadn't taken advantage of before. Rend Lake was fun as usual, too. Another plus is that we didn't have anything stolen from our campsite this year, but we were a bit more careful.

But the best treat was the first 25 miles of the Horn Memorial. That was worth the price of admission if they hadn't run another lap all weekend. I don't go back as far as some but I know for sure I have never seen two guys go at it on a mile dirt track in open wheel cars like BC and KL did in those first 25 laps. My wife pointed at my forearms making light of the goose bumps standing up on them at about lap 15 and they stayed there 'till Kyle cleared BC and started driving away and they weren't there because I was cold!

The crowd for the Horn Memorial was down a bit but not significantly from the last few years. I am at a loss to explain why because more often than not Du Quoin is an entertaining race and the track was consistent to what we've seen since Sarg took over the promotion duties. I too don't particularly like the red flag at halfway but I must admit it made for a more interesting race a year ago but didn't do a much for this years race. In my opinion the jury is still out on the deal. The car counts are an area for some concern but if you can get 25 good cars to race hard that is enough for a good show.

These opinions come from strictly a spectator standpoint and our group was more than happy with all the racing at Du Quoin.

Thanks to Bob Sargent for keeping these precious one mile events in existence. Without him I fear we wouldn't be having this discussion.

Oh, one more thing, it was fun to watch Stewart wade through the field to finish second in the mods, as well.

Re: Duquoin Comments
 

This is the first time in years we have missed the race at DuQuoin.
It was the same for others I know. Why? The format, and recent cancelation history of the series. We spend a lot supporting the series and the racing locations each year.
We are also considering fielding a car and giving an up and coming open wheel driver a shot. Some of the things we love about the dirt champ cars seem to be slipping away. Some of the series changes have been good over time but I feel the 100 lap format, great announcing and presentation is a must for the mile dirt tracks. The big cars and those that drive them are a big part of Americana I think is worth hanging on to and preserving.

Re: Duquoin Comments
 

I have to agree with ISF. The track was INCREDIBLE for the first 25 laps or so. Then it started taking rubber. I had never been in the infield before and I have to say that hot laps were awesome. I got chills every time Stanbrough came in the corner, loud pedal down, 2 inches from the guard rail!

I have been at all 3 miles this year and I have to say that the track prep is better each time. I do realize that you cant run 100 laps and not take rubber eventually on tracks like these. HOWEVER, I still think there is a little room for improvement on the track prep. Dont get me wrong... I'm not bashing at all. But how awesome would it be to have the first 50 or 75 laps not rubber down?!

As far as the 50 lap break.....I'm not a huge fan. Maybe just have a competition caution to bunch them up but dont allow any work on the car unless you pull in the pits or something.

I hope this series keeps going for years to come! If it does I hope to field a dirt car someday in the coming years because its always been a goal of mine!

Overall a great night of racing! Congrats to Larson....man that kid can wheel anything!:22:

Re: Duquoin Comments
 

Go back to the full 100 laps.
Best Regards,
John

Re: Duquoin Comments
 

I can't blame Sargent for trying something like the stop at 50 to cause some excitement for fans. The problem is that this is probably the most traditional type of motoracing left in the country and the fans want it to stay that way. The best way for him to bring more excitement back is to simply provide better track prep like what produced the race we saw early on at Du Quoin. He wouldn't need any gimicks or support classes that only cheapen the product. The fans need to come back regardless to help keep these races alive but if you don't like what they are doing just call them and tell them your opinion. Boycotting isn't the thing to do for the three mile dirt races, trust me. I made it to all three this year and I thought that all three were better than recent years and am glad I went. I'm planning on all 3 next year too.

Re: Duquoin Comments
 

First 25 laps were really something...

But here's the deal I keep coming back to, car count. 25? Yes, the 25 put on a great show, but what if next year there are 21, and the year after that 18? It just keeps declining.

And I don't understand how Pevely can have 3,000 people in the stands and pay 20,000 to win. DuQuoin has more than 3,000 people in the stands and still pays the same $9,000 to win they have been paying for like 20 years.

Re: Duquoin Comments
 

I worry about the car counts too. They seem to go down a few more each year. Not going because of the pause won't help (I don't like the pause either, run them straight up for 100). Something has to be done to bring the series back to being the top series again.

The biggest mistake was bringing in the new SC car. The car counts were pretty good before that happened. Some owners that left because of that have never come back. The cost of racing (mostly getting to the race) has gone up, but the "split" of that was a bad deal. I'd like to see 35-45 cars again. There is enough equipment sitting around....