Originally Posted by Racerrob:
Let's talk about the USAC provisionals:
You get a limited amount during the year. I believe it is 4.
They are available to a certain # of car owners based upon points standings.
You get to tag the tail of the feature.
You are paid the purse money for the position you finish MINUS last place (22nd starter money). For example if you start 23rd with a provisional and you race to 12th you earn a whopping $150 for your efforts! PA purse below
1. $4,000 2. $2,000 3. $1,300 4. $1,050 5. $925 6. $825 7. $700 8. $675 9. $650 10. $625 11. $600 12. $550 13. $550 14. $525 15. $500 16. $450 17. $450 18. $425 19. $425 20. $425 21. $400 22. $400
FACT: USAC does not genneraly pay tow money. Some occasions we do receive some money but it comes nowhere close to covering even the fuel costs to get to those races. The locals don't have to incur the cost as they are "local".
You earn at least 13 additional points in the championship to start the feature. This is the most important item for teams traveling across the country chasing a championship.
So what does this mean to the fans:
They genearlly get to see an additional top team/driver compete in the feature event.
It does not cost the promoter any additional money so it should not cost the fan any extra money either.
They may get to see a great run like Darland at Gas City and Brownstown this year.
Where is the downside? It does not negatively affect the locals since the provisional is not taking a spot in the feature from them.
Rob Hoffman
I really don't have a problem with all that. I do have a problem using a team cars provisionals over your own and even another cars not on the team your with.. Didn't they give you two additional for Sprint Week and the CRA guys two based on top points not qualifying? Thats more than the two or whatever you get for the whole year thats possibly six and when you add other teams and changing car numbers to do it. Well, I agree, it cheapens the whole deal.
Id much rather see a couple more cars from the B who earned their way thru racing in than someone who qualified bad, finished out of a qualifying possition in both the heat and consi and/or never really had to race at all to make the show
IM possitive it's needed for some teams to even consider traveling. However that was a little rediculous. I think the Williams Grove National open last year started 31 cars. 9 of which were provisionals of some kind or another.
Chuck, leaving it alone from here. The question was to the fans.