Not all drivers go to the drivers meeting for one! This rule should have been started at the first race in Ocala, Fl. Usac should of called for a owners meeting to discuss this new rule. I agree, no wonder people get sick of Usac!

It was nice to see USAC finally say enough is enough. Watching drivers and teams mill around while the series officials, promoters beg them to get to staging for events from packing in the track to the "A" main seemed be a bit disrespectful to the drivers who are up there, the promoters who are trying to put on a "show" and especially the fans who pay good money to be entertained. (We have all done it myself included) I watched a show almost get cancelled this year because of the lack of effort to "get to staging". It wasn't USAC threatening to cancel it was the promoter, it seemed like a simple fix to me if you need to be in staging at a certain time, and when that time comes a orange cone goes behind the last car and all others are penalized. Do it once and I think the problem is solved. If not ... up the penalty. One of the things you hear when talking to fans who attend all different forms of short track racing is this "Your style of racing is the absolute best there is. There are no braver drivers and the competition and passing from start to finish is fantastic. but ...... Your shows are pathetic there is no flow to the show there is to much waiting around not really sure what is going on ECt. At some point the great racing for the 30 minutes that we are actually competing on the track is going to be outweighed by the downtime and boredom sitting around waiting for the show to go on. If you don't believe me take a look at the grandstands at most events that are not Sprint Week Shows. I personally think this is a great step to adding some flow to the show from a fans perspective. I also want to add that having Dillon Welch as the Series announcer has been a big boost to the entertainment value to our shows as his knowledge of the drivers, the teams, his background work before the races and his knowledge from being behind the wheel all add to the entertainment value of the program. The on track product is as good as it has ever been and could be argued that the competition level is as high as it has been in several years and it is nice to see the steps are being taken to make "The Greatest Racing On Dirt" closer in entertainment value to the "Greatest Show On Dirt". Just my two cents for what it is worth which is probably not much more then well... two cents.

Tim Clauson

Think some might want to read the USAC rule book available on usacracing.com before assessing wrong doing or screwing someone. Not saying things are always fair. JUST THAT ITS THERE for all to see.

2014
Rule Book
PART IX
Races
9.1
Meeting of Drivers and Officials
-

Prior to each race the Chief Steward shall conduct a meeting of drivers for the discussion
and interpretation of the rules and any
specific regulations applying to that race. All drivers are required to attend, and it is the
driver’s responsibility to do so.
Any driver failing to attend shall be charged with knowledge of the matters discussed at such
meeting as if he/she had been present

It also covers very clearly cars not being where they're supposed to be when they're supposed to be there can be penalized up to rear of the field.

If you don't go to the drivers meeting and don't know the rules whos fault is that?

Sorry guys I should have posted last night. Someone clarified for me lol. Last night was only my 3rd USAC sprint race of the year. Loving Indiana. You guys down here are so nice. Its nice for a change. Seems like everyone is willing to help out. First ever trip to Putnamville tonight and cannot wait. I LOVE tracks that build big nasty cushions. See everyone there! I will have my IOW shirt on as well!

Here is the sad thing and Late Models are even worse at lining up. The guys that started in first 3/4 of field had the time after the heats, mod heats, sprint b, mod feature to be ready. So in all honesty there is no excuse. Officials blew horn all way round the pit area for 5 min warning. Once they made the round it was told to start the clock. Also FYI heat 1 the was horn was blown nobody moved. It was 11 min till they all rolled out.
Example I went worked a summer nationals race last fri and come feature time I had 9 cars in line. UMP called them 9 cars to track and you should've seen the other 13 come in a hurry. Then I hear on raceciever we will run a 9 car feature men so my suggestion is get in line when your called we will not wait on you.
Only way I personally give a driver his starting spot when I run the line up is if the driver of crew member says hey we having car issues we might be late . Top of my sheet I put the car number. Other then that if your not online by white flag I move the row forward.

Last night is the reason I keep coming back to Terre Haute. Great show all around! The weather was perfect, the crowd was really good, and the racing was spectacular. Sometime the heats can be one lane, but not last night. That second heat was a thing of beauty. The track held up for the feature too. There was a low groove, a high groove, and a Justin Grant groove. It was just a classic Terre Haute night, so glad I went. I wish there were more half miles around.

To all race fans. No not sprint car, midget, late model, modified, mini-sprint or any other kind of fan. Just plain ol' race fans.

If you weren't at the Terre Haute Action Track last night you should have been. If you love racing that was really, really good stuff. It was like watching the history and future of dirt car racing at the same time. What a great time!

Enjoyed talking with you, Joe! Always nice to meet another IOW'er.

If other cars were late lining up along with Darland then why weren't they penalized as well?