If you take Eldora out of the equation, it's not really a true statement. I go to a ton of races and all the big races around this state and you just don't see winged racers coming in and leaving with the big check.

Jerry

A couple of wing drivers in recent years have taken off the crutch and been successful. Haud, Smith jr, Kerr, and D Smith come to me off the top of my head.
The success that they had was at fast half mile tracks where momentum is huge. Watch a wing, (or wang per eldora mark), at the big tracks and if a driver makes one small mistake, i.e. getting too sideways into a corner, and they have lost a 1/4 to 1/2 a lap. They are able to be competitive at the big tracks due to straighter driving styles and keeping momentum up.
Cant think of any wing racers that have spanked the boys on a 1/4 mile bullring.

I remember Frankie putting on a hell of show at Whitewater Speedway back in the USAC/CRA tour. PA boys have done ok w/o a wing.

Either way, as long as it is a sprintcar on dirt, I am happy.

---------- Post added at 10:03 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:00 PM ----------

Sadly, our divisions have become too divided/specialized. Loved when both would cross over.

I don't know for a fact but from drivers I've talked to, The wing teaches you to be smoother, Any scrubbing of speed hurts a winged race car. I've also been told that in some cases everything happens a little faster and you learn how to read and react to certain situations.

I don't hate winged racing but the track has a ton to do with how good the racing is. Used to see plenty of side by side at the old burg and bloomington. However Lately it seems more of a Top dollar most experience deal. Even the King was running for fifth most of the time a couple years ago and that was before he announced he needed back surgery.

---------- Post added at 7:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 7:45 AM ----------

They used to quite often when Winged was common around here. Briscoe, Kerr, Randy Kinser, Amati, Huntley, Butler, Stanley, Gordon were all one and off with the All Stars and and could spank USAC a few times a year. Some won championships in both.

While I'd much rather watch NW on a regular Basis, I endorse those who could afford too, To STRAP IT ON a few times.

A couple of wing drivers in recent years have taken off the crutch and been successful. Haud, Smith jr, Kerr, and D Smith come to me off the top of my head.

Danny Smith got his start with non wings back when the Indiana tracks all ran w/o a wing...He was the Lawrenceburg track champion in 1976 (think that was the year) at the ripe old age of 16.

Tim Wolffrum aka Cowboy

As a photographer:

1. Depending on the track orientation and time of the day, the wing always creates a shadow on the driver, if you can even see them. This doesn’t happen with a non-wing car.
2. Much more flex, way better “poses” on a non wing car.
3. Much more passing, pole car wins a lot of races.
4. They “take up” less room on the track, allowing for more side by side racing.

Reasons why you need them:
1. Faster
2. Casual fans have an easier time identifying them, potentially leading them to a non wing race at some point
3. Way more square footage for sponsor decals
4. National coverage, even though this is Indiana Open Wheel, not all of us live in Indiana…
5. Crossover appeal of multi discipline racers ala Jesse Hockett, Kyle Larson…

Interesting. It had been awhile since I caught a non wing show and in the last couple of years, have seen them at Eldora and was struck on how hard it is to see the driver now. The arm guard panels on both sides of the car have made it so all that you see are the drivers heads, at least from the pits.

Yeah Jerry I was gonna do the same thing lol

1) You Tube Video
2) You Tube Video
3) You Tube Video
4)You Tube Video
5) You Tube Video
Honestly I could go on indefinitely...

Now that right there are 5 VERY good reasons!!!!!