[richie]

Originally Posted by Stevensville Mike My favorite part was right off the bat when they were noting that the SC cars have to start on their own, with their clutches and trannies, for the initial leaving of pit road. As they were stumbling, fumbling, and bumbling, two or the cars were being pushed off by pit crew members. WHAT were they WATCHING?

Having to start "on their own" means not having to be started by a push truck. Having to do that results in that car going to the tail of the field for the start.

Once the car is fired via the starter shaft, a crew member puts his hand in the air. Once the signal is given by the USAC official to begin rolling the cars, the crew members begin to push their car.

Just watched the video again now and there was no stumbling, fumbling or bumbling by anybody, and it was explained correctly by the announcers.

[Stevensville Mike]

Not to argue the point too much, but maybe you should go up to the press box and "coach" these guys on the rules, Richie. We must have two different audio tracks because I heard them tell me the cars had to "at least pull away" and "they must move under their own power within a certain distance." Silly me to think these were the rules.

Don't even get me going on when our good bud Tom Paterson was dead in the water up on the rail coming out of Turn 2 after a couple of laps. They gave Tom great kudos for bringing the car in from Argos on an open trailer and planning on using it in Springfield next. Unfortunately, the latter was washed out.

Oh.... the whole time Gregg Cory was dead stick sideways in Turn 2 after coming together with something/someone that neither noticed.

I say you go up to the press box, WATCH THE RACING MONITOR, and provide the insight, Richie. That would raise this coverage tenfold.

No hard feelings. Actually, thank you for the explaining of the push off rule. I will always remember that.

We have what we have for Silver Crown coverage. Fortunately what they were not commenting or looking at on half the time was a pretty good race.

And Tom Paterson got some well deserved praise.

Appreciate your response, sir. Really do.

[richie]

Originally Posted by Stevensville Mike Oh.... the whole time Gregg Cory was dead stick sideways in Turn 2 after coming together with something/someone that neither noticed.

From our vantage point in the booth, turn 4 & turn 1 at the track are completely blind corners. None of us could see the Cory situation from our point of view unless we stood up and put our faces against the glass. Even then, you couldn't see all the way up to the wall. We all saw Paterson slowing in turn two and assumed that was the caution and nothing more. Sometimes it isn't as easy as it looks.

[B99]

Originally Posted by Stevensville Mike Not to argue the point too much, but maybe you should go up to the press box and "coach" these guys on the rules, Richie. We must have two different audio tracks because I heard them tell me the cars had to "at least pull away" and "they must move under their own power within a certain distance." Silly me to think these were the rules. Don't even get me going on when our good bud Tom Paterson was dead in the water up on the rail coming out of Turn 2 after a couple of laps. They gave Tom great kudos for bringing the car in from Argos on an open trailer and planning on using it in Springfield next. Unfortunately, the latter was washed out. Oh.... the whole time Gregg Cory was dead stick sideways in Turn 2 after coming together with something/someone that neither noticed. I say you go up to the press box, WATCH THE RACING MONITOR, and provide the insight, Richie. That would raise this coverage tenfold. No hard feelings. Actually, thank you for the explaining of the push off rule. I will always remember that. We have what we have for Silver Crown coverage. Fortunately what they were not commenting or looking at on half the time was a pretty good race. And Tom Paterson got some well deserved praise. Appreciate your response, sir. Really do.

Not that Richie needs to justify himself to you
Now I've only been involved in the sport 40 years or so, but I don't recall USAC ever stating pushing by a crew was contrary to the rules, I'm pretty sure that USAC considers "pushing" as stated in the rule book by an authorized push vehicle. A car fired up for the start of 100 miles has a fairly tall gear and a lot of weight in the back end, thus the crew may help the car pull away from the grid.

1206 Pushing
A. Push starts at any time are subject to the availability of authorized push vehicles and at the discretion of the Chief Steward.
B. Qualifications: A car in its proper position for qualifying may be push started with the loss of one lap (when qualification
distance is more than one lap) from the qualifying attempt and will have to race in the consolation event to make the feature
event. In the event of no consolation event, the car cannot start in the top 50% of the feature field. Car still gets qualifying
time with no penalty other than starting position for A-feature.
C. Races: Cars are required to leave the grid under their own power at the start of an event. A car requiring a push start at the
start of an event will be placed at the rear of the starting field. Push starts under green flag or yellow flag conditions will be
at the discretion of the Chief Steward.

[Stevensville Mike]

Originally Posted by richie From our vantage point in the booth, turn 4 & turn 1 at the track are completely blind corners. None of us could see the Cory situation from our point of view unless we stood up and put our faces against the glass. Even then, you couldn't see all the way up to the wall. We all saw Paterson slowing in turn two and assumed that was the caution and nothing more. Sometimes it isn't as easy as it looks.

Point well made. I am ready to drop this banter and move on and apologize to any offended. Perhaps I was a bit hasty in my criticism towards the crew. It does sound like the press box might be the worst seat in the house.

[B99]

Originally Posted by Stevensville Mike Point well made. I am ready to drop this banter and move on and apologize to any offended. Perhaps I was a bit hasty in my criticism towards the crew. It does sound like the press box might be the worst seat in the house.

Most gentlemanly and appreciated Mike. The press box isn't always the best seat, people in your ear running in and out, and maybe having to call off a monitor instead of what they can see.