Smackdown Start and Park
 

With this crazy purse structure $1125 for 5th Sat with $1000 to start, I believe we'll see alot of start and parks Saturday.

Yea, who the hell wants to race anyway.

Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

No. I don't think so. With this format, these guys will have already raced their asses off just to make this show. These will be coveted starting spots, IMO. So, I think you will have eliminated the ones with any quit in them, by that point. Ones with that NASCAR mentality. Plus, I think it's really sad, that here we have the biggest multi-day sprint car event to hit our state in years and before it even happens, people are trying to find fault with it. The O'Connors need to be commended for thinking outside the box and for taking a huge financial risk.

Jerry

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

What exactly is the format??

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

The track is paying out over 83 grand for a 3 day show! :23:

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

That is just an out and out insult to sprint car drivers. This isn't NASCAR. Sprint car drivers are racers! And by the way, why are you posting stuff like this and hiding behind a board name, not giving your real one?

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

you obviously have no idea how much work and effort it takes to make the show on Sat.. start and park ? you got to be joking !!

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

Speaking on behalf of one team, if Coleman makes the show on Saturday, it will take a sniper to shoot his tires out before he will stop. I understand the point about the purse structure; no one wants to tear up a car for an extra $125. I get it. BUT; this is a prestigious race and everyone wants a top 10 or better. Plus, Indiana Racers or Car Owners have never thought or raced that way since we have been competing in the Hoosier State. And, last but not least; going to a Race at Kokomo is like going to the Ballpark during the World Series. You never know when something memorable, special or History making may occur. That is what drives these crazy Sprint Car Drivers as much as anything...

Again, I understand your point but I don't think that will happen. I guess we will see... CGR.

Amen.

Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

Josh plans on running every lap.

Jerry #66j
stida.com

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

Are you high? These are the guys that normally race for $3000 to win. I know for a fact that we won't be starting and parking. You sir have been watching too much NASCAR.

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

I think he's been sniffing too much methanol fumes!:3:

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

No. I think he hasn't sniffed enough methanol fumes.:3: Or he would know better than to suggest something so ridiculous.

Jerry

bath salts...gotta be bath salts

Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

I've been watching short track races for over 60 years, and have never seen a "start and park". This is a hobby, not a business. Many years ago, Louis Seymour and I were chatting with Lee Osborne before an All Start show at Putnamville, when Bobby Allen wandered over, complaining about the purse. Oz said to him, "Allen, where would you be tonight if there was no money, just trophies." "Right here, I guess." replied Bobby. Certainly neither of those guys ever parked.

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

You can start 22nd Sat pass 15 cars and make an additional $125. But, you will have 40 laps to do so. Why make this a USAC event and pay those bozo's a sanction fee? Dump that money back into the purse. I would guarantee you everyone will still show up if this was the structure

1) 10000 Whoever runs 5th would likely deserve $2500 instead of
2) 6000 $1175. $950 for 11th. $50 breakdown to 17th. $600 to
3) 4500 start. Reward the guys for running up front.
4) 3000
5) 2500
6) 2000
7) 1750
8) 1500
9) 1250
10) 1000

Very rarely do you see drivers pull off at Kokomo. Think I've seen it twice in 4 years and they elected to start on tail for motor issues so they don't cause a wreck get there start money. Come back next week strong. Last time we raced 30 Laps think we lost 2 cars one blew up and other not sure what happened and winner came from last in a back up car.

Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

Now all you have to do is grow the balls to put this on, and we will all show up and support you. Show them how to do it. Keep us posted surely this will be an easy job for a guy with your knowledge.Give us a name so we can watch your progress.

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

Id say I've seen start and Parks at some sprint shows before. But I know of two win from the tails in the last year at Kokomo, So why would you do so when the difference is 9000?

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

I don't think it is a stupid question, and I do think that it will happen. It may not be as blantant as with the NASCAR teams, but it will happen.

I also think you guys are being overly optimistic about racers. Think of your local drivers racing on a local show and see how they would answer this question. A driver who is running near the back of the pack and hears a strange noise, does he pull it in or keep on racing? A driver who is running near the back of the pack and has a vibration, does he pull it in or keep on racing? A driver who is running near the back of the pack and keeps on missing his marks, does he pull it in or keep racing? A driver that is running in the back and pack and has too avoid the same wild driver in front of him four laps in a row, does he pull it in or keep racing? A driver who has gone through his entire tire budget and realizes that the track is so rough that it is going to destroy all of this tires, does he race all night to destroy all of his tires. I know of several drivers that have pulled in their cars on days like this, and I bet if you think about so do you.

The best (worst) start and park that I ever show was a multi day modified show. The show had a very large to win purse that quickly went down from there. I beleive it was $50,000 to win with a large entrance fee ($300). Before the last feature of the weekend, the promoter told everyone that he did not have all of the money to pay the purse and was going to cut the purse in half all the way through the show. After the first lap was completed about a third of the field pulled off of the track.

If a guy makes the show, but knows that he has little or no chance of advancing into the top five, I could see him pulling off. What if he makes a few laps and the car handles like junk, he will likely pull off. No reason for a low budget team to risk tearing everything up for no additional money. No racer wants to pull off, but circumstances happen and sometimes it is just best for that driver and team.

Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

Overly optimistic about racers? What do you mean by that?

The purse is legit. I know the O'Connors, and I know that they would not allow anything like this to happen at THEIR track, despite it being a USAC race.

People talking about a "start and park" clearly have never prepared a sprint car or any other racecar as far as that goes. Way too much work goes into making the show to just pull off for some cash.

This is also a NATIONAL race, NOT a local show. If you remember right, most of the "local" drivers who run Kokomo on a regular basis are also some of the big shots on the USAC circuit. Some of these "locals" include: Chris Windom, Dave Darland, Jon Stanbrough, Tracy Hines, Shane Cottle, Jerry Coons Jr., and a host of other drivers. Unless there is something seriously wrong with their cars, I don't think any one of the drivers mentioned above will pull off just to pull off.

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

That's not start-and-park. Those are examples of cases in which a driver is making a smart decision with a broken car, given his budget.

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

I'll tell you who plans on start doing a start and park on Saturday night. That's Bryan Clauson. If you read BC's Twitter page much you know what "parked" means to him.:3:

Jerry

I bet Clauson start park is like the darland memorial we had. Transfers to feature then has engine issues and forced to roll out back up car. Started last in the 30 lap 3000 to win I believe it was and guess what. 20 cars started 18 finished. Clauson WON but wasn't easy. He had tough competition to beat. Ask any driver about Kokomo better come with your A game and elbows up cause wins there are hard fought and won.

Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

That was the point that the original poster was trying to make. Given the fact that the pay difference from 6th to 22nd is not that much, there is not a lot of incentive to race for those positions. The risk/reward balance is upside down.

Do I hope it happens? No. Do I hope that this race grows into a huge success? yes. Do I hope that it becomes an annual race? yes. If there is a caution on lap 5, do I expect a couple of cars at the back gracefully pull it into the pits? yes. Do I think any less of the drivers that do that? no

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

If you start and park you have to live with it. I think 99% making the feature for Saturday believe they can come from the middle or back and win. As far as bashing usac who else are some of these drivers going to want to beat but the best at what they do.

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

Here's the better question - how many dirty moves will we see to secure a "transfer" or solidify a starting position in Saturday's feature and what if anything will USAC do about it? I mean after all they have set a precedent on what they deem "avoidable contact" I'm going to bet there's a lot of that Thurs & Fri nights.....

With regards to start n parks - it will be more along the lines of what an earlier poster said. If you were lucky enough to transfer in on a shaky motor or sketchy equipment and you sense anything out of the ordinary or you get lapped - or you just know you're not going to make the top 10 after a couple laps or so you'll see some pull in because the $175 difference isn't even enough to pay for the extra tire you may burn off. It would be subtle - we see it on regular $10k shows all the time - you just probably aren't noticing it because it isn't as obvious as NASCAR.

Start and park has it's place. I have seen a Super Stock car change wheels and tires, enter as a late model where only 21 cars showed up, and get 750 to start feature. Pulled off as soon as leader caught him (2-3 lap). That paid more than winning in his class. Have seen non wing cars put a wing on and do the same thing for the $. We all want the trophy, but sometimes you gotta think $ if your a budget team and you wanna better your equipment. That being said I don't see anyone doing that at Kokomo.

Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

At most of the top heavy big money shows that I have seen this has happened at. Do I like it ...No.....I think drivers that park it are short changing their fans, but it wil still happen. Not the top dogs, but the underfunded teams do this.

Start and park, NASCAR ways,Different format. Paragon is running ..... who gives a damn about all of that. This ain't a Monday morning quarterback session. All I know that this is going to be one hell of a show with the best sprint car drivers, teams, and fans any where. Kokomo speedway is one of the best tracks around and is trying to build an awesome race for years to come. So for me I am ready to party with friends and hopefully meet some new ones while drinking a beer (or coke) and watching some awesome racing.

Posted via Mobile Device

I dunno...$1000 to start vs $500 to start sure sounds better to me...but I never really was very good at math...

Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

RT@USAC Racing ‏@USAClive
Stoops' addition to the purse will show an increase in positions 4-13 in tonight's feature field!

RT@USAC Racing ‏@USAClive
Stoops Freightliner has upped the Feature purse even more for tonight! Thanks to Jeff Stoops for his continued support of USAC racing!

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

Remember the good ole days when bath salts was really bath salts, ohhh so soothing.:D

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

Now that the results are in, please tell me who the start and park cars were last night?

None

Posted via Mobile Device

If they didn't wreck they finished all 3 nights. Only driver I seen was gurley he had bad luck all 3 night upside down 2 nights

Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

It is just plain eerie to read the first line of this post, which was written on Wednesday, given what happened to Robert on Saturday. The dirty moves obviously weren't limited to the races before Saturday's "A" feature.

Re: Smackdown Start and Park
 

Good response, Brent