I'm not sure why there is so much outcry over Eldora on this list. Don't get me wrong the facility is top notch. Concessions are great, they don't cost you an arm and a leg. Go up with your cooler and get yourself a 6'r of beer for a decent price. There's really not many bad seats in the place and although it has a lot of modern updates its still got that old school feel to it.
But as far as the racing has gone, I don't think it's as great as it once was. That USAC/WoO show last year wasn't too great on night one, it got better on night two but I could have gone to Bloomington and LPS those two nights and saw closer racing. The dry slick type track they often prepare there just doesn't make for the racing I think there use to be on the surface. When the Outlaws are there they tend to get strung out pretty quickly.
Even with late models, last year I was at the Dream when Bloomquist was 25 lbs light at the scales. I can remember back in the day at the end of the race when cars of all types would roll the bottom before pulling in trying to pick up any mud they could to get an extra few pounds. Now the cars use up the entire track and any moisture that may be left before the race is even halfway over. The surface is just worn out, I know they put some new clay down last year but they need more of it IMO.
Just to be clear though, I'm not raggin on the track. I was over there 6-7 times last year and I'll be back this year for sure. I'm just not sure it should be guaranteed a spot on the list of best tracks anymore, at least not as high as people say it should be.
Insurance has been hurting tracks like Eldora. They want to see a dry slick track as they think it is safer for racing. It just makes the racing not as exciting. But if you read the descriptions for the top 10 list the person said at least one of the tracks was on their list because of the atmosphere. Eldora should be there for atmosphere alone.
But I'm in the minority that thinks Kokomo is over rated also (yes I said it, blasphamy for most of you, I know)
Williams Grove shouldn't be on the list, I doubt it's even in the top 25. They have unreal top speed, but that's about it.
Is the list about tradition or good racing ?
I hate freight train racing, theres more passing in one good lap at say Kokomo then the entire race at a fast winged track.
Maybe one of the best sights in all of racing is watching the guys bang their right rear off the wall at Kokomo.
Eldora scrapes the cushion off, the features are probably 2 seconds a lap slower than before they took the banking out and more often than not has a catfish winner you couldn't see half the track due to the haulers.
Everything but the tracks improved. It used to be take your breath away on the wall and monster sliders. I also always remember waves of dust but never the way its been where you can't see the whole turn four. Don't know if its the new lighting from the inside or what.
Originally Posted by Backitin:
Williams Grove shouldn't be on the list, I doubt it's even in the top 25. They have unreal top speed, but that's about it.
Is the list about tradition or good racing ?
I hate freight train racing, theres more passing in one good lap at say Kokomo then the entire race at a fast winged track.
Maybe one of the best sights in all of racing is watching the guys bang their right rear off the wall at Kokomo.
It might be like that for a WoO show, but the weekly races when you have guys like Fred Rahmer, Lance DeWease, Greg Hodnett and Danny Dietrich handicapped to mid pac to start the A-Main your going to see a lot of passing. I've seen a lot of passes in the last five laps for a win there.
Williams Grove......there is something to be said about standing outside turn 3 and watching them come out of under the bridge and straight at you down that loooooooooong back stretch. The cars seem to dance and jig alittle sideways. cars leaning back on that left rear.....PHEW!!!! man i gotta tell you its a sight you won't soon forget. that being said, you know i can't wait until 6/10 for the big cars.....
Originally Posted by Birdsboro:
Williams Grove......there is something to be said about standing outside turn 3 and watching them come out of under the bridge and straight at you down that loooooooooong back stretch. The cars seem to dance and jig alittle sideways. cars leaning back on that left rear.....PHEW!!!! man i gotta tell you its a sight you won't soon forget. that being said, you know i can't wait until 6/10 for the big cars.....
Watch the cars non wing go down the front straight at Terre Haute and they have to correct for stagger, sometimes bump each other if they're side by side.