[cecil98]

Originally Posted by Moses There was a time when Foyt and Andretti were looked at as kids. You've got to start somewhere, and I don't think that it is a fair assumption to make that it is entirely about the car that makes these kids good drivers. While there is no question it takes good equipment to win, it's meaningless if the driver doesn't know what to do with it. I was at Knoxville this weekend, and I was very impressed with Sweet's performance. Knoxville is a tough track for midgets, and he did exactly what he needed to do to stay in front, keep his car intact and come away with a pair of victories. Rather than write off their accomplishments, I think we should embrace this new generation of drivers. They're the future of open wheel racing. I don't understand how the sport can be "much less interesting" if the racing is good and you have a deep pool of talented drivers that are all capable of winning on any given night.

Those kids (Foyt and Andretti) had to be 21y/o just to get into the pits. So, I don't think it's quite the same.

[illinisprintfan]

Originally Posted by LEADERS EDGE Many of these "Kids" have been racing for 10-11 years before they got to sprints and midgets. I am not going to say that running a mini or quarter midget is the same as running a sprint or midget, but they learn how to "race" long before they get to these cars.

You stole my answer!! Seriously though, by the time these young guys get behind the wheel of a sprinter, they have a lot of laps under their belts. Having good equipment helps, but that experience is big.

[SpfldMile]

I think that with the safety equipment and a premium put on smooth tracks, it makes it easier for the younger guys to have confidence. It is not so much the "ruts and guts" of yesteryear. I seem to always root for the veterans, but some of these new guys are pretty impressive.

[1BIGracefan]

Lets remember Team Foxco have full time jobs at Foxco Enigerneering. If you look back at there results from the last two and a half years they have 9 USAC wins and 5 MSCS wins the last 2 years. I would think LOTS of other other teams would like to have there LUKE warm results. Not counting three time in a row KISS Champion that says alot also.

Originally Posted by 1BIGracefan Lets remember Team Foxco have full time jobs at Foxco Enigerneering. If you look back at there results from the last two and a half years they have 9 USAC wins and 5 MSCS wins the last 2 years. I would think LOTS of other other teams would like to have there LUKE warm results. Not counting three time in a row KISS Champion that says alot also.

By luke-warm I mean this year. Most of the wins have come while they stay home and outclass the local competition. Anything for the "W" I guess.

[Kirk Spridgeon]

Dude, come on. Have some respect for the team that is not making excuses, but instead just going out and winning races. And, at the end of the day, making 1400 to win a local show is better than making a thousand to run third in a USAC show, right?

I only hope you haven't pissed them off so much that they go out and win 8 straight during Sprintweek....I do like to see other teams win every now and then!

[Wallsracing]

older guys dont heal as quick as the YOUNG GUNS they think money can buy anything ....you got the nascar sponserd teams buying everything top of the line i just love it when a locally funded team like TRUCKERS OR FOX BROS whoops the big money teams...

[illinisprintfan]

Another thing that I think might explain why young guys are excelling, they aren't as intimidated by the established drivers. In years past, when a young racer pulled into the pits, drivers like Vogler, Parnelli, Pancho, Dick Gaines, any one of the Kinsers, Hewitt, Stewart and others were waiting for them. These men had an aura about them that had to be intimidating for drivers just starting out.The veteran drivers out there today are great drivers, but I don't sense that "oh my gosh, that's...(fill in driver name) next to us in the pits" reaction from the young drivers. Guys like DD, Clayton, Jones, JS, Coons, Hines and others approach that, but not to the same level. Just an opinion, feel free to punch holes in it as you see fit.

[illiNOISE]

A lot of the 15 or 16 year old sprint car rookies who graduated from the micro sprint ranks have already been racing against adults for a few years. Just go to a POWRi show, and you'll see a new crop of 12-14 year olds racing micros right now against adults. These kids will be more than ready to move up in a few years. Kids like Steven Russel, Tyler Reddick, Evan Weyant, Braylon Fitzpatrick, Nic Harris etc.will all be names that we'll all be hearing about in a few years.

[767]

I think the annoying thing is these drivers come out of nowhere. We get used to rooting for certain guys at our local tracks in hopes that someday they might get a big ride. As the years pass, the next thing you know they are 25 years old and basically stuck. You are walking thru the pits when one of the big teams pulls in. You watch them unload 2 top of the line cars, then see the 14 or 15 year old kid come out of the trailer. This kids first race, you set back and think, man if ....... was in that car they would probablly win. Instead u know they are only going to run midpack. What a waste. Then in your head your become bias twords that driver. The team runs him all over the country the rest of the year running 2 to 3 nights a week. The next season he is right up there contending. My point is it dosen't seem like you have to pay your dues in a sprint car to get a top ride. many fans don't have respect for the young racer that comes right in to a big time ride. Then he races 3 years worth of races in 1 season. the next year he starts to get respect. These kids have tallent, i just wish there was more of a ladder.