Disappearing Stockers in Michigan!!!
 

Only 38 stockers at the Ihra race at Martin. 59 in 2009. 68 in 2008. 82 in 2007. and 83 in 2006. Not a good trend.

Re: Disappearing Stockers in Michigan!!!
 

Lyn,

I can only surmise that it was bad timing for the NHRA guys with Bowling Green two weeks away, Indy three weeks away and Brainerd this weekend. I will throw in a bad economy just for good measure. Maybe this year I can get over and say hello at Indy, that is if you are going.

Re: Disappearing Stockers in Michigan!!!
 

A few reasons and one of the main ones might be the fact that IHRA decided to NOT run STOCK CLASS runoffs at this event in 2010.


Phil

Re: Disappearing Stockers in Michigan!!!
 

Good points but it all comes down to one thing -- money .......or should I say lack of it .

Re: Disappearing Stockers in Michigan!!!
 

I agree with Jack, lack of money (my own and lack of contingency) is the main reasons for me for sure!! We used to support this race every year. Love the track, just too much going on called life, I guess. I will agree that no class racing plus the NHRA race in Brainerd had to have hurt them. They probably would have been better off using the old date (1st weekend August). Also, in those earlier years, you got points to go to Nationals, so that would make them more desirable to run if you were into points.

Does anyone know if it took a really long time to park late Thursday night? I always hated that about Martin. Every National that I ever went to there took hours to get from the gate to the pit spot. I never understood that because it didn't happen at other tracks.

Oh well...........Good job Myron on representing the stockers and footbrakers in the Moser race!!

Jeff Day
#3731

Re: Disappearing Stockers in Michigan!!!
 

I think they parked until 10 or 11 pm, and we got there about 7:00 pm Thursday and was in our pit spot within about 15 minutes. Spent more time in line getting credentials than it took to park. I am sure it was quite a wait when they opened parking though.

Brainerd was up against this race last year as well. They did have stock class last year and they actually ran for class. You lined up and raced for it. This year, only Superstock class here and it was off qualifying, not raced for. And no pictures taken as with the car, driver and IHRA official as before, just hand you a plaque at the time booth. No fun in that! Same in Rockingham. Just off qualifying. Kinda lazy if you ask me.

Re: Disappearing Stockers in Michigan!!!
 

"A few reasons and one of the main ones might be the fact that IHRA decided to NOT run STOCK CLASS runoffs at this event in 2010".
Phil why would this matter at all, its not like the "Class Win" is worth it in any sanction! My .02.

Re: Disappearing Stockers in Michigan!!!
 

Well, it's like this,

I stayed home this weekend to support our Can Am Stock/SS series because the Martin race dates were finalized after our schedule was released.

A 2 hr tow to the track; won 2 rounds and went home with $150. We had 39 cars and the racing is extremely competetive. I too love the Martin track, but the de-emphasis on the ceremonial aspect of class run-offs makes the Nitro Jam event even less attractive. Add on the 9 hour tow, give or take, and the decision was easy.

Re: Disappearing Stockers in Michigan!!!
 

MIA and normally there - Bob & Craig Marshall and their four cars, Jeltmas and their two cars, Brent Darroch and his two cars, Bill, Brad & Shane Zaskowski and their three cars just to name a few.

I really hate the way they are "running" class this year. Why even bother having it? There is no contigency to speak of, you don't even get a chance to race for it - and the kicker, no picture to buy if you want one for your sponsors or family . . . .

NHRA hasn't been much better this year, though it has had to do with weather. Again at Brainerd, they had to cancel class run offs due to the weather and went with the higher qualified car. I am not sure how many times this has happened, but it seems it has happened quite a few times this year and it's unfortunate for all. There is too much scheduled. Snowmobiles need track time too, righ? 10 lbs. of crap in a 5 lb. bag.

Re: Disappearing Stockers in Michigan!!!
 

I think there are a lot of reasons for the disappearing car and spectator counts that occurred at US-131 this past weekend including the economy, the hot/humid weather, the change in direction of IHRA, and of course, the Torco fiasco.