You dirt guys have it made. The last pavement show the pit gates were at noon, hot laps at 3, qualify at 5, race at 6:30. Had to get there to get even a reasonable spot in the pits. Watched 4 classes hot lap, qualify, heats, and features. The sprints were the first feature. It is now midnight. We did not stay until the kids came down fo talk and look at the cars, or even autographs. The 1.5 hr trip home awaited. The fans want an evenings entertainment, not ,as was stated earlier, a 2 day show in one day.

I guess I am just tired of hearing people ***** about stuff that really doesn't matter much. Enjoy the races folks!

What was it that Lance Grimes said at the Chili Bowl two years ago? Were old and grumpy and do a lot of B*tchin and enjoy every minute of it! Sometimes the message board does not show the true content of a post. Facial expresions and tone of voice often apear to be complaints when they aren't meant to be.

And often its TOTALLY Deserved like someone making a swamp out of a track and not starting the first heat till 945pm. finishing at 1:30 am on a school or work night and charging 35 bucks for it.

Chuck, Yeah, It was Allison and Im still Bitchin bout it. Can I arrest him?

Bill.. I'm with ya on this and I'm as guilty as anyone about *****'n about how late the races get over but then I find myself standing in the pits "BS'N" with the guys for another 2 hours. The only thing that does bother me is when they "the track" have a "lets prep the track" show after a couple cars have gott'n upside down. When it's apparent that there has been nothing done during the week.Taking two hours to do that takes away from my "BS'N" time..

Bill, I don't set in the stands watching my watch wanting to leave early, but getting out of the track very late because I have been watching the water truck all night is a different thing. The people that posted their reasons should be listened to if we want to keep the sport healthy. Because without butts in the seats there will be no racing. We need to be able to bring new fan to the race and have them want to come back. We are there to see the race not to watch the track prep that should have been done before we arrive. And that's the reason I can't wait to get to Bloomington tonight, I know that it will be ready and we'll see a great night of racing.

At Terre Haute the other night, it was ridiculous to see the water truck and grater go out on the track, and did nothing. Then to watch the USAC guy in the blazer go back and forth where they push the cars out. It took them 40 minutes that didn't need to be taken. The track was NOT going to get any better than it already was. Leave enough alone. I think sometimes they rework the track for something to do. There has been many times it's made it worse. I do understand those times when the track is pretty much junk; but there's been many times it isn't. We own a car, and don't need need that much time to prep for the next race, unless you were involved in an incident. I would prefer getting home at least by midnight so the next day is not unbearable. Just my two cents.

I have a minimum two hour drive to any track I attend (except Haubstadt), so it is a matter of wanting to avoid becoming too sleepy to safely operate a motor vehicle. I especially struggled on the drive home from Lawrenceburg, which is about four hours. Even the coffee I got at the McDonald's at Love's Truck Stop at Sanders, KY didn't really help me. About all it did was keep me from sleeping once I got in bed at 5:04AM (Central Daylight Time).
If I see an entertaining racing program without a lot of unnecessary down time, then the time is less of an issue. But, as I said above, it is a matter of driving safety for me.

I'm from Eville also.............Long drives to anywhere except Haubstadt.............Mid week shows make next work day not to productive.

Yep, I just hate it when late, late checkers make it tough for me to get up and be productive at work the next day............Oh, wait I retired 15 years ago........Never mind!!!

Hey, it's more fun being retired when you can gloat about it. Takes some of the sting out of being such an old fart.

---------- Post added at 03:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:09 PM ----------

Those were the days David. Lawrenceburg every Saturday night for the weekly show and then off to one of the tracks you mention (plus Tri-County and Dayton) most Sunday afternoons for a USAC event.

My .02
I am leaving in a bit for Bloomington, and I have no kids, if the wife gets tired she can find her way to the Tahoe.
ME, I don't care when it is over! I just want to see some good ol' fast, safe, clean, close racing.
I wouldn't be mad if there are enough cars for 10 heats, 2 C's, 2 B's and one hellofa feature!
I haven't seen the sun rise at a race track in far tooo long!