Sad to here the news from Eldora. I don't know how much track prep went on before Friday, but I can tell you that Tommy Helfrich has probably put a few hundred laps down at Tri State Speedway this year working the track and they haven't had a show there yet. I live within a few miles of the track and he spends many night working the track. Keith Ford does a great job at Paragon, but totally different than Tommy. Keith works the track then leaves it alone for the night, usually unless unforseen event happens (rain). Tommy is always is messing with the track thru the night trying to make the best he can for the show. I will admit I have complained more than once about the "Haubstadt Tractor Show", but the show makes it worth my money and time, just like Paragon.

My thought was that the reason Tom, Keith, and others are so successful in making a great racing surface is they have been at the same place most of if not all of their lives. I know Tom spent his entire childhood making laps in a tractor or a racecar at TSS so he knows that place and every square inch of that facility and surface. Keith has been at Paragon about 40 some years if I'm not mistaken, plenty of experience with making it a great surface. I don't know who is in charge of track prep at Eldora, but give them a break. Everyone has been comparing the last couple of years to what Earl did in a lifetime devoted to a track, he assured the track was the best it could be with what he had and that was good enough most nights, and spectacular many nights. I don't know all the goings on behind the scenes at Eldora, but they have twice the amount of surface and facility to take care of that Haubstadt and Paragon have, so twice the chance to screw it up. Much like Terre Haute has been the last few years, many problems because of the changes in personnel/management, but it is getting better It just takes time, effort, and a little help from the weather. My hope is that Tony doesn't give up on Eldora, and more importantly the fans/drivers don't give up on Eldora, it would be such a tragedy.