[Evan Smith]

Don,

Have you ever watched racing from the finish line from a track where you can see what the drivers are doing? It is my belief that this is where the quality racers accel. Sure, winners cut good lights, but that is the smaller part of the game. The more important part is dialing your car and driving the stripe.

I can show you dozens and dozens of finish-line pictures of Stock and Super Stock races from the stripe, and there are many guys who NEVER look over, or if they do look over, they don't really have the techniques for making races very tight. Then they wonder why they lost? Many guys also hit the brakes after the stripe, or at the stripe, thinking they killed a bunch, and wonder why they broke out. You just can't take a half-car or more these days and expect to win many rounds.

I'm certainly no pro, but there is a lot of really bad driving out there. Reaction time is based on concentration (no matter what type of tree), driving the stripe is first based on haivng a plan (based on your dial and whether you are dialed soft or hard) then applying it based on what your car and your opponent are doing. You have to make split-second decisions and react on the fly. You need keen eyesight, a consistent car and lots of practice. It all must come together to make races tight, whether taking the stripe or dumping.

I understand your desire to win and your displeasure with guys who win a lot. It is understandable, but I feel you are wasting your energy picking apart the system. Personally, when I lose I can point to a mistake I made and I look to improve. I don't have the time to race as much as I used to, but I understand what it takes to win. Seat time certainly helps, but you have to have some talent, too, and the guys who win have TALENT. Why does that bother you so much? If you change the rules the smart racers will adapt and accel and the less skilled racers will be the same. This holds true in any sport and even in the workplace.

Evan