I have talked to a few racers and I have heard that they are really disappointed on how many people got away with the jump starts.... they were jumping starts on the backstretch which was insane. in every form of racing there is rules where to start. its not fair to others when the outside guy(not pole sitter) gets 5 or 6 car lengths lead before the green flag falls. i think there should be something like WoO does with cone in 4th corner. and cone on front stretch for restarts would be a good idea. or something along that line...For Example "dayglow 7 that passed 2 cars in the infield on the restart... from 4th to second before they even passed the flagman" Just a Idea for next year.

Other than that. Way to go.... ! Impressive Show!:

I really shouldn't do this, but I'll take my lumps. Any race track that small, sometimes it is an advantage to be on the backstretch, when the green flag drops, it's a better look at the flagman, and a sharp driver, can make some good time from back there. I know, from some positions, it looks like the guys back there jumped the start, when in reality, they had a better vantage point, from which to see the flagman, they weren't under him, or looking up, or trying to guess when it was going to fall, that's the way you make it from the back to the front, using you're head, and your position on the track, to move up. Believe me, been there, done that, and at Ft Wayne, or any small track, you have to do it. Bob

So ur saying u should jump the start???

Nope, but you have a better look at the flagman from back there, the rules say the race begins, when the green flag drops, not on you, but the guy closest to it, in other words, the leader, but he is at a disadvantage, because, he has to look at more things, cars, his position, it's far more busy where he is, than where you are on the back stretch, you have straight track in front of you, he is trying to keep an eye on the flagman, he's in a turn, he has a guy on the outside, trying to get the jump on him, in other words, he's busy. If you haven't seen it from behind the wheel, it's just not possible, to explain. I've watched a lot, and I've driven a lot, and yes, some do jump from back there, but I'd say most of the time, the flag has already dropped, and the driver was able to see it unobstructed. I don't like "jumpers" either, and most flagmen will deal with them, but usually they just relay it to the scoring team, and they take care of it there, you don't know, till ck out. Bob

I'M not trying to open a can of worms. i just heard a huge majority of people complaining . the starts were insane... people were saying how they would like to see the cone start in 4th turn like WoO (they use chalk dust) but same diff... If Someone jumps the start there . they restart it after 2 times Jumper Is Sent To Rear... And Re Start should have the (walking cone) (on single file) And No Passing Below that or Before That....

Tony sent me an email linking this thread and I mentioned to him I would post how I handled the starts. The starts / restarts were mine to accept or call back. I take sole responsibility for that. On original starts I was utilizing the tire at the mid point of turns 3 & 4; and single file restarts the tire at the entrance to turn 3 as the pick up point. This was the same for the midgets and 600s. Should we have used a cone off of 4, looking back probably but that was something I chose not to use . I have made note of using it, just in a different spot from the original point Saturday night (before I had it moved). We didn't always show the "one to go" on restarts so people had to be paying attention when the lights went out - and that caught people all weekend. Overall I think I handled the starts the same thoughout the two shows - maybe imperfectly, but consistent. If I put anyone at a disadvantage, I apologize as that is not what I meant to do.

If there are suggestions please send me a message and I will relay them to Tony. I want to make it better for the racers and fans.

As the Outlaws,allstars etc, Do On a Regular Start. They have a cone in turn 4. right before the Frontstretch. When you throw the they can take off there not b4 not at the backstretch... then when u have a complete restart the same.... but on single restart u have a "walking cone" on the front stretch. halfway up the track. you throw the outta 4 there is NO passing below that cone or before that cone. after the cone. they are game..... if the driver or a driver passes. the cone u flag him or warn him once then flag him to the rear.... if a driver jump the inital start u give him 2 shots then u him to the rear. the backstretch restarts were horrible and the infeild passing was horrible too!

As the old saying goes, " when the green flag drops, the BS stops", I personally am neutral on the "cone", doesn't matter one way or the other to me, unless someone in front of me doesn't go, then you're screwed, unless the flagman has time, or scoring catches it, you might not get penalized. And, as someone sitting in the stands, not knowing why, they keep restarting, and screwing around, you came, you paid, you want to see racing, everyone, including the flagman, and the drivers, feel the same way, but only so much time can be wasted, then the show must go on. Maybe, if the drivers meetings were broadcast to the fans, then maybe most everyone would be on the same page, that is why they call them sprint races, short track style, but for the most part, the drivers meeting don't change much, most everyone knows about what to expect, and I don't know how many times the question comes up, "when does the race start"? And, it's usually the same guy, if not told otherwise, it's when the green flag drops, you should have already had your plans made, not Nicecar style, those poor guys have a lot to remember, left side, right side, after the start line, not below the yellow, unless forced there, and if you give your spots back, it's OK. If I can understand it, I feel like most folks can. Happy New Year!! Bob

now thats a idea to broadcast the drivers meeting over PA. for fans. that might help em get the rules and stuff too for the racing ...