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Although I should keep my thoughts out of this I will chime in on what Kevin is trying to say.
When I started sprints we had a low buck but dependable car. We ran a steel block 410 that lacked a lot of horsepower compared to 90% of the other teams. (I had a 377 that put out more power later on)
Although I was new to sprints I still tried my hand at running USAC races at Putnumviille, Bloomington, and L-Burg. At the time I was naive (which I really still am) but to me I was just there to race. In hindsight I was also there supporting USAC for the local races which helped put on a better show. Back then it was common ground to have 40+ sprints at all of these events and they weren't even the sprintweek shows. I would literally run the dog snot out of my car trying to qualify in the top 32 and more often then not I couldn't do it. Starting out I would run the NQ race then load up as I didn't finish in the top 2 or 4 due to the quality of cars still ahead of me in time.
If I would have been allowed to run a heat race and then either a C or B main my nights would have been so much better. To go to a track and run 4 hot laps, 2 qual laps, and then 6 NQ laps and then load up is a crock of crap. I spent my time and money to attend their shows and they send me home with nothing, not even a "thank you for showing up and giving us your money" and a smack on the butt. I didn't give a rats ass about making any money I just wanted to run laps but to them we were expendable.
I ran with the All Stars a few times and even though I didn't make the feature, Bert Emick still took the time to come by MY trailer and say thank you for supporting them even though we were a small team against big odds. They knew how to make a team feel appreciated for putting our money and lives on the line to provide the entertainment they promoted.
With the costs of racing being as ridiculous as they are, USAC needs to seriously rethink the top-32 rule and give people the laps they deserve to race. Give the guy that doesn't have the big motor a chance to battle later on in the evening when things might be more in his favor and instead of pure horsepower the can use experience to get to the front.
:usac::moon:
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