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Originally Posted by fish
You're right, that certainly was a long time ago.
And I have to admit my stops at Plymouth haven't been perfect either.
As far as 305, 360, 602, etc. mentioned elsewhere, I used to go to motorcycle races and laugh at them and say the best thing about sprint cars was that (at that time) they were pretty much the same everywhere. That sure isn't the case anymore, and I don't like it.
If it was up to me, it would be 410 sprint cars without wings on the schedule at Plymouth. Imagine a Friday (Gas City), Saturday (Plymouth) and Sunday (Kokomo) circuit and what it would do for sprint car racing in northern Indiana.
If Plymouth had announced they were running nonwing sprints every week, there'd be people on here throwing a fit and asking where all the cars are going to come from.
Plymouth has been running mini sprints and you have to believe from that bunch there are going to be a few of them move up, and if it's successful, more will follow. We need some NEW blood.
I don't know if this will work out, but a track within my driving distance added sprint cars to their regular program. To me, that's a good thing.
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I appreciate both your and Nate's comments about Plymouth. Nate is likely on point with the Outlaws date that prepping a track for wing 900hp cars and USAC midgets is a tall order. But the best effort will be made and fans will see the best show possible.
Learning what that surface needs is in no textbook. The parent material does not have much if any sand in it. That's why it doesn't take rubber. There is a lot more to it and the track prep guys are getting a handle on it. They took some lumps last year and some nights were spot on. We sat together at Eldora at the 4 Crown and were convinced that the brown cloud emanating from the surface couldn't be dust because people weren't complaining about it.
As for nonwing 410s running weekly at Plymouth, that thought was on the table extensively. However the thing that has been mentioned regarding geography was very evident in the discussion. The wing cars of Michigan an the nonwing cars of central Indiana both have a hike to come to Plymouth. And while Gas City to Plymouth is a short two hour haul, it is a Saturday night outpost for the nonwing contingent of central Indiana, with Kokomo still on the northern side of most competitors. Chris Gurley and Paul Hazen are about the only non wing guys up here. Likewise, most the wing cars of Michigan and Ohio would be travelling the same kinds of distance to compete at Plymouth, excluding the Gaerte 3G and the Mann Enterprises fleets, DeVault, Scott Hull, Hanft, and some other semi local guys who tend to favor wing racing.
So in that regard the drawing board had room for a new idea, and that's where the 602 Pro Sprint idea came into play. Plymouth was able to look at the platform as an opportunity give mini sprint racers (there are 2 Saturday night mini sprint tracks besides Plymouth), current racers in other divisions, as well as a group of racers who simply could no longer afford to run sprint cars a chance to get back into racing. You are spot on about new blood. Young, old, veteran, regardless. The buy in has to be lowered for people to get into sprint cars, both on the investment and the maintenance side. Is this the answer? We're going to find out, but it beats not trying anything.
2016.
Is Plymouth going to save the world of sprint car racing by June 1 with Pro Sprints? I wouldn't say that. Are there going to be any cars? Yes. I hear of 11 being built currently and Pace Performance said at PRI the interest was more than expected at the show for guys in the area looking to have an option.
Plymouth is upgrading the seating and fan amenities. Stop in and check the place out. If the place is too dusty, say so. If the show goes too long, say so. Whatever helps to make the experience better, PLEASE, say so.
Short of setting the Sun in the East on raceday. Not even Ed Kennedy, the owner, has quite that much pull.